Gospel: John 10: 11-18
Anyone with the slightest familiarity with religion knows that its leaders are often referred to as shepherds. They also know that almost all of them disappoint and are not good shepherds. Instead, they often seek their own self-interests - or worse still engage in and/or cover up abusive behaviors, financial improprieties, and often give preference in all things to monied interests instead of the needs of the poor.
Religion should not be about the establishment and ongoing support of an institution and the lifestyles to which its pastors have grown accustomed. The purpose of religion is to introduce others to the Good Shepherd, to encourage others to cultivate a relationship with the Lord through works of mercy, service, and love for others.
Coming to know the Good Shepherd is not acquired by faith or intellectual propositions but solely by love. It is by loving deeds that we know the Good Shepherd and he comes to know us. If religion has come to be more about the mind rather than the heart it is because we have forgotten that love is the foundation of our Christian life, not the mind. A disciple is known by deeds of love; a disciple follows the One who showed us the way of love.
No comments:
Post a Comment