Now, I’m a Brooklyn boy and can’t relate easily to shepherds and sheep. But I've blessed plenty of house pets in my priestly ministry. Which reminds me of a story.
A German Shepherd, a goldendoodle and a domestic cat died. All three faced God, who asked what they believed.
The shepherd
replied, "I believe in discipline, training and loyalty to my
master." "Good," said God. "Sit at my right side."
The golden doodle
replied, "I believe in the love, care and protection of my master."
"Aha," God said. "Sit to my left."
Then God looked at
the cat, and asked, "What do you believe?"
The cat gave God a
slow blink and said,
"I believe you are sitting in my seat."
Circling back to the Word of God, we hear about Peter and John in the Acts of the apostles. Both were arrested for doing good.
Peter courageously proclaims that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone or foundation of a new age and that we have access to God’s triune life through Jesus. The author may be asking us whether Jesus is indeed the center of our own lives, our way, our truth and our life.
In the Gospel according to John, we have the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Now the crowds in the time of Jesus could easily relate to shepherds and sheep. And the job was dangerous. Shepherds had to deal with wild animals -- wolves -- and also outlaws.
The shepherd’s dedication to the sheep inspired the biblical writers to speak about God as a good shepherd. Thus, the psalmist sang: “The Lord is my shepherd.” Like the good shepherd in ancient Israel, Jesus cares for the weak and helpless, heals the sick, seeks out the lost sheep and brings back the straying. Yes, even more: He lays down his life for his sheep. He includes those we might call "outsiders" and says there will be one flock. We may be wondering: where are the “good shepherds” today?
Yes, the Word of God today gives us much to think about. But I would like to zero in on the Letter of John, which speaks about our future. We shall see God as God is; we shall be like God.
The author of the letter says God is our Father and we are children of God and as such, we are called to do the will of God in our everyday life! But how?
Isn’t the “will of God” often vague and ambiguous and unclear? Yes and no
I believe we do the will of God by being faithful in our relationships and in our responsibilities, by doing the best we can in our everyday activities.
If you’re working to
pay the bills, but making time
to be with your children, especially when they need you, you’re doing the will
of God.
If you are overwhelmed caring for a sick family member but you try your best to make a loving home, blessed are you. You’re doing the will of God.
If you happily volunteer to work for a not-for-profit, shop for a homebound neighbor, help a youngster with homework, blessed are you.
If you refuse to take shortcuts that compromise your integrity and ethics, refuse the rationalization that “everybody does it,” blessed are you.
If you struggle to discover what God asks of you in all things; if you try to seek God’s presence in every facet of your life and every decision you make; if your constant prayer is not “give me” but “help me to do this or that task,” blessed are you. You’re doing the will of God.
If you spend time listening and consoling others who look to you; if you manage to heal wounds and build bridges; if you can see the good in everyone and seek the good for everyone, blessed are you.
If you try to understand the perspective of the other person and manage to find a way to make things work for the good; if you’re loving the unlovable and forgiving the undeserving, blessed are you.
If your faith puts you at odds with some people, if you refuse to compromise basic principles, blessed are you. You’re doing the will of God. And in the end, heaven will be yours.
My friends, the Word of God invites us to think about many things. Jesus calls us to eternal life and asks us to seek the will of God and to do the will of God in our daily lives. May God grace us to do so. Amen
