16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Fr. Leo
The Good Shepherd is an image we encounter often in the Scriptures and in the teachings of the Church. Most importantly we refer to Christ as our good shepherd who leads us home to a new and eternal Eden with the Holy Trinity and all the Angles and Saints.
The image of Christ as the Good Shepherd is extended to the pope in Catholic teaching when we declare him the Vicar of Christ on Earth. From the pope it gets extended to the bishops and then to priest as pastors of the people of God.
We are to be faithful to Christ above all and listen to his voice echoed through the Church. However, the ultimate voice of Christ is the one planted in every human heart. When we grow in love for Christ, his ways become clearer to us. As we trust the teachings of the Church, we must also trust in our conscience. The Church is human, and the church will be made more perfect as each of us strives to be as faithful as we can to truth, love and the mercy of God.
So, where there may be a bit of a difference between where we are at and some interpretations of the church’s teachings, we are taught to follow our conscience. But it needs to be an informed conscience. Which means, we put some honest reflection with the grace of God on the conflict we may feel with-in us. We do not make flip decisions and go our own way. When things are not reflected upon in earnestness and prayer, we are less likely to choose what Christ would choose.
We all need good shepherds in our lives. People we trust and who will support us in our discernment. Spiritual directors are required in monasteries and recommended for all who pursue their faith seriously. Spiritual reading and Scripture are, for me, a great source of inspiration and enlightenment. I cannot imagine having a spiritual life without my reading, prayer, and celebration of the sacraments.
The mass is central to my life. It keeps me in touch with scripture and with the living church as we assemble on Sundays. So, for all of us, what we do here is the foundation of our Christian lives. And on this foundation, we build a house, a loving heart that comes to love as Jesus loved and give as Jesus gave.