Pastor's Letter 20240721 - 21 July 2024- 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father Michael · July 20

July 21^st, 2024

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Message from Father ^†Michael

Today’s Theme: “Sheep Without a Shepherd”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

(Jeremiah 23:1-6) Leadership entails a dual responsibility: to one’s character, and to the One from whom all authority is derived. Jeremiah (writing ca. 587 BC,) indicted the leaders of Israel for their neglect of the people, but better leaders were promised.

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(Ephesians 2:3-18) ^†Paul taught that, by His death and resurrection from the cross, Whether visible, or not, walls of separation are a scandal in the community made one by the Cross of Christ. Christ broke down those walls between Jews and Gentiles, and thereby, reunited the disparate and alienated segments of humanity, in peace.

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(Mark 6:30-34) An integral aspect of faithful discipleship is the appropriate distribution of “time.” ^†Mark wrote how Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, cared for, and fed His apostles—those who are sent,—as well as the ordinary people. (This action is memorialized for us in the Holy Mass, during the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.) He made us “one people”—the People of God. In Jesus, we see Divine Compassion, in action—making each of us responsible in service and love for one another.

On Becoming a Shepherd

In the Bible, a shepherd is shown in the image of a caring person. God is often described as the “Shepherd of His people.” Throughout the early centuries of the Biblical era, those God appointed as shepherds (prophets,) were to be leaders of the people, teaching and caring for them. However, as we heard in our First Reading, many of these failed in their duty., for which, God indicted the leaders of Israel for their neglect.

Well into the early centuries of Christendom, many “shepherd kings,” were woefully negligent; and amassed fortunes on the “backs of their people.” We still see many examples of this, today. How often do we hear people lament “They don’t care about me!” Or, of the leaders, “They only care about themselves?” Sometimes it’s unfair, but other times, it is justified….

To be an actual “shepherd one must possess numerous character traits and skills. Not only must they love their animals—as a devoted guardian of their flock—they must also provide sufficient acreage for them to safely graze, but also be knowledgeable of animal husbandry—to manage their sheep’s health requirements and nutrition; their animals’ behavior (which includes “tracking” and veterinary skills, when required;) and to be a capable weather forecaster. Additionally, they must possess adequate means of transportation and market management to be successful.

Of course, dealing with people is much more intensive—human beings are intelligent and emotional creatures. Caregivers of vulnerable people, who come across as “cold,” and “distant” are not usually able to provide effective, lasting assistance, or comfort.

Speaking of her travels, Mother ^†Teresa encountered elderly people in a Swedish nursing facility. Although adequately cared for and fed by the staff, Mother noted the residents often stared, wistfully, at the door. She asked why this was. To which came the reply, “They are waiting, longingly, for someone…a family member, or anyone…to visit them.” “But no one comes,” ^†Teresa retorted. She noted that only occasionally, if ever, did a relative, or anyone, come to visit. Their sense of abandonment was, by far, their greatest suffering.

Sometimes a family has no choice but to send an elderly relative for care in a nursing home. When many of these people feel that they are “put away” by them, it’s the spirit in which this was done that matters. If done in a spirit of love, it can be an appreciated gift.

A Christian who doesn’t care, is like a lamp that does not give light. Even though caring is never easy—we are all capable of it. When we offer loving care, we are living the Gospel, and we learn that all that is required is an “open heart.”

As a corollary in our modern world, mental health care has become more and more customary with every generation. Formerly dismissed by many as “stigmatizing,” or “unnecessary,” it has even come into the mainstream for care within the provisions of many health plans.

However, counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and caregivers are routinely cautioned about “controlling their emotions”—charging them to maintain a certain distance and detachment from their patients—in order to avoid “burnout,” or patients’ unhealthy dependence upon them. (Studies have shone that one actually is less exhausted to total involvement of self, than by an attempt to barricade themselves behind defenses—provided one knows how to replenish at the same time.) But those, who are successful in their calling, are able to routinely show warmth and empathy, without pitfalls. Therapy works best when the plight of the patient is fully and empathetically understood. Some have even espoused that it is essential for the therapist to “love” their charges, platonically, for their treatment to succeed. Carl Jung once said: “I have learned that only the physician who feels himself deeply affected by his patients could heal.”

Jesus gave us the ultimate example of how to give actual care and compassion to those who suffered. He was never afraid to let them know that He cared. He saw people as “individuals,” not just members of a “crowd.” He showed true empathy for them, precisely because they were wounded and in need.

Like Jesus taught us, if we truly accept our mission as Christians, we must put aside our preconceptions about “what people actually need,” and be willing to make ourselves open, accepting and fully present for them.

May God Richly Bless You!

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