Homily for Wednesday of 20th Week In Ord.
Time, Yr. b. Fr. Udoekpo, Michael
v Ezek 34:1-11
v Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4,5,6
v Matt 20:1-16
The Grace and Generosity of the Good Shepherd
Several
metaphors, names and imageries have been used throughout the Bible to describe
the nature of God’s relationship with his people, Israel; such as Father,
Mother, Way, Life, Truth, Light, Holy Warrior, Rock, and the Good Shepherd!
This last one, “the Good Shepherd” stands out in today’s liturgy, biblically speaking
and in all the readings ( Ezekiel 34, Psalm 23 and in Matthew 20), pointing to
care, love, compassion and generosity etc.
Prior to
today’s readings, especially Ezekiel 34 and Psalm 23, even going back to Israel’s
agricultural neighbors in the eastern Mediterranean or ancient near east, a
good shepherd is traditionally, known to lead his flock, feed, his flock,
protect, know, nurture, be kind and generous to his flock; while the bad ones
does the opposite and exposes their flock to danger, neglect and harms them.
Though
within the context of the ancient Israelite exiled- community, it is, to such
familiar agricultural community that Ezekiel metaphorically preached, as to who
the Israelites, both the lead and the leaders are supposed to imitate and
listen to. For Ezekiel, “woe to the shepherds of Israel(that is bad leaders and
kings in Israel) who pasture themselves” selfishly, instead of caring for the
flock, the people of Israel, the weak, the poor, the needy, the orphans and the widows, that God had
entrusted to them.
Ironically,
the kings themselves nor those who asked for a king in 1 Samuel 8, have not kept
those laws of the kingship stipulated in the Book of Dueteronomy 17-18. They
have not lived up to their expectation, except some like David, Hezekiah and Josiah. Their negligence have led to the loss
of the land and the temple, as have been maintained by the deuteronomisitic
historians and Israel’s prophet, including Ezekiel.
Thanks
be to God, in Ezekiel 34:1-11, the first reading, God will, no matter what,
give Israel, especially the remnant, a new Good Shepherd, who would know
“the smell of their sheep,” as a Pope Francis would put it (cf. Evangelii
Gaudium), protect them selflessly with love and tender care, with a sense
of sacrifice, deep faith, generosity, approachability, availability, compassion,
diligence and dedication.
Echoes
of this Good Shepherd—metaphor, and true nature, of course, was heard in
Jeremiah 23, as well as in today’s familiar and delightful responsorial Psalm “the
Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want’ (Ps 23:1).
Christologically,
he is the one described not only in John 10:10-18, but he is the generous
father, or Landowner of today’s Gospel (Matt 20:1-16). He distributes his gifts
and blessings to all his servant and children generously and as he deems fit, with
a sense divine, mercy and justice. His grace is sufficient unto us, his flock.
God, a good shepherd, keeps his promises and covenant love.
The
nature of the “good shepherd” we draw from today’s Bible readings challenges
us: modern leaders, politicians, kings,
those led, their followers, every citizen, as well, in every aspects of live,
to reevaluate our sense of responsibility, the care, the pastoral heart of the
priests and of those under formation to the priesthood (cf. Pastores Dabo
Vobis of John Paul II of March 25, 19992; Ratio Fundamentalis of
Pope Francis, Dec 2016), the compassion,
the availability, docility, listening skills and sense of “smelling the sheep.”
Other are, obedience, protective skills to our sheep, orderliness, mercy,
forgiving spirit, faith, hope, sense of common good; modesty, self-control,
discipline, humility, love for the poor, the sick, the needy; washing and
feeding the sheep, in fact, the mind of Christ—are all expected of good
shepherds, leaders and followers and citizens, as well, everywhere, especially
in this time of covid-19.
Reflection Questions
1.
Do we rely on God as our Good Shepherd?
2.
In our various places of responsibility and leadership, do we work to
imitate the grace and generosity of the Good Shepherd, extolled the true in
today’s scripture?
3.
What prevents us from sharing God’s love, tender care, compassionate and pastoral
hearts with our neighbor
