4th
Sunday of Easter, Cycle B
April
29, 2012
Married
Retreat, Priest Field Retreat Center, Keareysville, WV
Running
with the Herd or Following the Shepherd?
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Running with the Herd
When I was a child and then
as a teenager, I often watched western or cowboy movies and my favorite was
Hopalong Cassidy.
I remember sometimes seeing
herds of buffalo in those movies. Today,
National geographic specials might show us herds of giraffes in the Serengeti
in Africa.
These herds are wandering
wild, setting their own direction, foraging for their own food, and protecting
themselves. They are totally on their
own.
Sometimes they go into a
stampede. Almost always, each and every animal
does what all the others are doing.
There is no leadership or
guidance from outside the herd. They
have no higher or broader perspective to guide them.
Following the Shepherd
This
“running with herd” is very different from what we hear about in today’s gospel
– “following the shepherd.”
Sheep
know the shepherd and can tell his voice from other voices. They follow the shepherd because they trust
him.
Sheep
instinctively know that the shepherd will lead them to food and protect them
from harm. Each sheep, almost personally
chooses to follow the shepherd.
For
them, the shepherd is someone outside the flock, with a higher and broader
perspective to guide them.
No
question about it, the shepherd has the well-being of the sheep in mind and is
very devoted to them.
Today,
Jesus calls himself “the shepherd”
and he refers to us as “his sheep.” He wants us to follow him as faithfully as sheep
follow their shepherd and not run with the herd as buffalos or giraffes might do.
The Contrasts
Let’s look at some examples of the differences between “running
with the herd” and contrast them with “following the shepherd.” After my
remarks, I’d invite yours.
When couples are first married running with the herd may mean that
they quickly become too focused on themselves as a couple and not being focused
on the needs of others or the poor.
Following the shepherd at this stage of marriage could mean becoming
active in a parish and volunteering to help others in need hearing always
Jesus’ concern for others and his challenging us to be the same.
As couples grow in love for each other and begin raising children,
running with the herd may mean giving sports, dance lessons, Scouts, first
place and having them become more important that daily supper together. After
all it’s what all families do.
Following the shepherd, on the other hand, is regulating and
modulating outside activities so they enhance family life and not take from it.
When couples become empty nesters, running with the herd may mean
that they can now become self-absorbed in our work, in travel, or shopping. Following the shepherd means that they respect
each other’s differences and look forward to experiences that deepen their
lives together, like an annual retreat.
Finally as retirees, running with the herd may mean that they
respond to the barrage of advertisements that promise to keep us young forever
with Botox, implants, surgery, tightening and tucks and. Beware of the lure beauty
that is only skin deep.
Following the shepherd may mean that they stay spiritually
centered and grow in age and grace, gratefully accepting our senior years and
increasing limitations.
Conclusion
We encounter Jesus the Good Shepherd who is here at Mass for us
every Sabbath.
He speaks to us and we hear his voice in the passages from
Scripture, especially the gospel. He
nourishes us and we receive him in the food of the Eucharist, his body and
blood.
Here our unity with the Good Shepherd reaches is apex. He becomes
one with us physically and spiritually. From
that unity he empowers us to follow him and not run with the herd.
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