Reflection Saturday Week 4 Year C- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
Readings: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21; Ps
23:1-3a, 3b-6; Mark 6:30-34
Christ is our good and true
Shepherd
For the writer of the Epistle to
the Hebrews if Christ is same yesterday, today and forever, and if he
preexisted with God his father there are new ways to continually adore, worship
and offer sacrifices to him different from the old ways of the old covenant.
Deeds of kindness, charity, thanksgiving and songs of praise are equally ways
of worshiping God.
Obedience even to our teachers, mentors and
leaders are praiseworthy. But as for the leaders of the new covenant, they must
not behave like the metaphorical false shepherd of Israel described in Ezekiel chapter
34 1-6. They fed themselves, drank the sheep’s milk, slaughtered them
recklessly and used their wool without reciprocal care.
Members of the Christian
community especially leaders must imitate Christ and provide the quality
pastoral leadership and integrity that the new covenant relationship demands.
These include humility, prayer,
accountability, love, compassion and care exemplified by Christ in the Gospel
reading of today (Mark 6:30-34). When Jesus disembarked from his traveling
boat he saw a large multitude, his heart was moved with pity for them, “for they
were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.”
Yes, this “sheep without a
shepherd” is a reminder to us that, some of Israel’s shepherd did not own
flocks, but were employed by owners to look after the sheep. Kings and
presidents do not own people, but elected or appointed to exercise love, care,
justice and responsible leadership. God owns people. He calls them “my sheep.”
Leaders everywhere must also watch against the temptation of abusing one’s
office or running their flock and sheep as a means of personal prosperity or
self-interest and power, without the common good at heart.
The flock belongs to the Lord. We are caretakers and workers in the Lord's Vineyard.
And may members of the Christian and
civil communities trust in Christ the Great shepherd of the sheep and imitate
his qualities of compassion, love and care, in exercising their
responsibilities, and in dealing with and caring for one another.
