Homily - Fourth Sunday of Easter (Jn. 10:11-18) “What Do You Smell Like”
Homily - Fourth Sunday of Easter (Jn. 10:11-18) “What Do You Smell Like”
The image of the Good Shepherd is an image that is very prevalent in Judeo-Christian tradition. Shepherds were powerfully symbolic. Why? Probably, it was because the Hebrew people were a nomadic people early in their history. All the patriarchs in the Book of Genesis, were shepherds. Abraham, our father in the faith, wandered from place to place with his herds of sheep, goats, and cattle. David was also a shepherd. When he became the King of Israel, he went from shepherding animals to shepherding people.
The Israelites knew what good shepherds were and what bad shepherds were. The prophet Ezekiel describes what bad shepherds are like in the Bible. In chapter 34 of his prophesy, he says that the leaders of his country (kings and nobility) have been bad shepherds. What are the characteristics of a bad shepherd?
A bad shepherd drinks the milk of the goats. They wear the wool of the sheep, they eat the mutton that the sheep provide, but they do not take care of the sheep. The bad shepherds do not herd the sheep into green pasture. The poor shepherd does not take care of the sheep that are hurt, but the bad shepherd lets the wounds of the sheep fester and get infected.
The bad shepherd abuses the sheep, beating them so that they are all fearful. In the end, the sheep are scattered, wandering around without food or water. The flocks are neglected, lost, and forsaken. The bad shepherd takes what the flock has that is valuable but does not make sacrifices for their flocks. The bad shepherd has no affection for the flock. Bad shepherds disappoint our Lord greatly.
A Good Shepherd has several tools at his disposal that allow him to take care of his flocks. We hear in the twenty-third psalm how the Lord is our shepherd. Our God uses a rod and staff. A rod was a short club that was thrown at predators to scare them away. The staff was a longer stick. It was used to prod the sheep into a coral. Many times, it would have a crook on the end of it to hook the sheep and pull them to safety. If a lamb fell into a crevice, the shepherd could reach down and pull the lamb to safety.
A shepherd would also carry a pouch. The pouch would contain some food for the day. Maybe it would contain stones for his slingshot. A shepherd might also carry simple medical items like ointment and a knife so that he might treat wounds that the sheep might have.
A shepherd was adept at using the tools nature provided. He used the stars to point the way to where he needed to guide the flock so they might find food and water. He would also pay attention to the wind, the clouds, the sounds wild animals would make and other signals that nature would give so he would know if there was trouble brewing. Using all these tools, he kept the sheep safe.
Pope Francis loves the symbol of the Good Shepherd. He speaks of those doing ministry in the church as those who are shepherds. When he was first elected Pope, he made a statement that challenged all those who are professional ministers. He said that “The shepherd must smell like the sheep.” What did he mean by that?
A shepherd cannot do his best work unless he is living in the fields with the sheep. A shepherd always stays with his sheep. He knows them well enough to call each by name. Because the shepherd lives in such close proximity to the sheep he smells like them. The shepherd does not seek to wash the smell away but is happy to have this odor.
What are the characteristics of an authentic minister then? The sincere minister does not want to be aloof from his flock. As Francis has said, sometimes the minister must lead, sometimes the minister must walk behind and push. Most of the time the minister walks amid the flock sharing their experiences. The last year, ministers have not been as physically close to others as we would like. Ministers have had the feelings of isolation that other people have. Ministry has revolved more about fidelity and stability. Ministry has been about being a sign of hope. The wolf has been at the gate, but most ministers have not run away. Hopefully, that witness has been a symptom of God’s continued presence among his people.
Reflection Questions:
- Am I more faithful than other members of the Church? Do I have some of the same struggles?
- What am I fighting with right now? Do I relate better to minsters who are fighting the same battles I am?