Learning from the Good Shepherd.


One part of the newspaper I seldom miss is the comics section. I find that those who produce the cartoons are wonderful observers of human nature. And, although it may be in cartoon form, there’s a lot of truth to be found there.

 

Let me share one example, a favorite. Several years ago, a “Dennis the Menace” comic strip caught my attention. In the first panel, Dennis with his dog Ruff, at is side, is walking along with Margaret. Dennis is merrily pulling a red wagon, while Margaret, clutching her doll, is jabbering to the wind.

 

In the second panel, Dennis gives Ruff a slinky, side-long glance while Margaret’s prattle continues. However, she is now speaking directly in Dennis’ ear.

 

The third scene shows Margaret wildly pelting Dennis with her doll, saying, “Dennis, you’re not listening to me when I’m speaking to you.”

 

The final panel has Dennis turned towards Margaret saying, “Margaret, I’m listening to you, it’s just that I’m not paying any attention.”

 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” There’s a three-step process here: hearing, knowing, and following. In order to have successful communication, all three are needed. We have to hear: that takes a certain amount of silence. If we need some kind of noise all the time, chances are Jesus can’t get through. If we don’t communicate in a substantial way, giving it the time it deserves, we’re not really going to get to know Jesus. And, if we’ve truly listened, and really get to know the Shepherd, do we respond by actually doing something, committing ourselves, following his lead?

 

This is really important to consider, because if it’s not Jesus that we’re hearing, knowing and following, there will be someone or something else that takes its place. Our ears and our minds are like sponges, soaking up the messages that are all around us.

 

So, let’s consider how we can improve our contact with the Good Shepherd, so that we’re consciously listening to him, getting to know him and his teaching, and then striving to actually follow him—and not just paying lip service.

 

One of the stories Jesus tells may be helpful. It’s the one about the farmer sowing seed… You may recall that the farmer’s seed landed in different places: on a footpath, on rocky ground, among thorns, and finally on good soil.

 

Jesus goes on to explain the parable’s meaning. The seed that fell on the footpath: a person hears the message without understanding it; it’s easily taken away by the “evil one.” The seed on patches of rock: a person hears the message and at first receives it with joy. But it has no roots, and only lasts for a time. The seed that fell among thorns: a person hears the message, but then “worldly anxiety” and the “lure of money” choke it off. And, of course, the seed that fell on the good soil: a person hears the message and takes it in, bringing about successful results: hearing the message, getting to know the messenger, and following the Good Shepherd, the Lord of the harvest.

 

Every day, it’s as if we are immersed in tales of woe, of disheartening news, of threats to various groups and individuals. We hear of immigration personnel taking away some of our neighbors, leaving others living in fear. We hear about what tariffs will do, and are doing, to the price of various goods we need. We hear of worries about jobs, 401K’s, Social Security, and Medicaid. So much seems unsettled; so much to become anxious about. So much of this around the clock.

 

Ask yourself: what is all this disturbing news doing to me? Is a steady diet of this stuff good for my psychological health? I’m not suggesting that we shut our eyes and close our ears to what is going on. I am suggesting that what we are doing here in this church is more important than ever. When we feel powerless, when we are overcome by anxiety or depression, when much that is good about our world seems to be falling apart—that’s when it’s all the more important to turn to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who wants to speak to our heart, who is asking us to trust him, who is leading us to God and to each other, who is asking us to be there for each other during tough times. Just as Jesus will not abandon us, he asks us not to abandon each other.

 

Jesus asks us to defend those who are weak, to speak up for the voiceless, to take care of the poor, to fight for our rights, and to reassure each other that, come what may, there is nourishment here for our souls.

 

Listen, really listen to his words: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.” Do you hear this? Do you really hear this? We belong to the Lord, now and forever. Let us listen, strive to know him more and more through prayer, reading the Bible, receiving the Sacraments, encouraging each other, contributing from our surplus to help those who are really struggling. Nothing can scare us from our responsibility, our mission as Christians. And no one can separate us from our lifeline, Jesus, our Good Shepherd.

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