Sermon: What makes a good shepherd?
Dear sisters and brothers,
In my early childhood, I experienced an impressive image that is deeply impressed in my memory. Our shepherd was walking through the town with his flock of more than 100 sheep. It was a moment of peace and silence because the traffic had to wait. But it was more than just a traffic blockage - it was a moment of peace, order and belonging.
The sheep knew the shepherd and followed him obediently. And the shepherd also knew his sheep and looked after them lovingly. He had a large shed on the outside of town and when we went there, we could see him looking after the sheep. There was a unity between them, an interaction of care and obedience. Everyone needed everyone else: without the shepherd, the sheep would be lost, and without the sheep, the shepherd would have lost his purpose. It was an image of unity.
We can also apply this image of the shepherd and his sheep to our relationship with God. In order to have such a bond with the shepherd, we need to care for each other. It means staying in contact and not distancing ourselves from one another.
In the flock, you look after the weak, the sick, those who are left behind. Because if the flock is not feeling well, it is the shepherd's duty to react. But it is important to emphasize that it is an integral model of "shepherd and flock" that should stay in place.
We find numerous examples of good shepherds in the Bible. One of the best known is certainly David, who later became king of Israel. In his youth, he tended his father's sheep, showing courage and determination as he defended his flock from wild animals. But even more important was his devotion to his sheep and his close relationship with God, which made him a good shepherd.
Jesus is also the good shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. In the Bible, he says: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11). Jesus is the role model for all shepherds, whether spiritual or secular. He shows us that a good shepherd is prepared to give everything for his flock, even his own life.
It would be wrong if the sheep suddenly became individualistic and each became independent. It would be just as wrong if the shepherds were to turn away from the flock, leave them locked up and live a life that no longer had anything to do with their profession as shepherds. It would be wrong to only present themselves in the most beautiful shepherd's clothes in order to show off to other people.
Availability is the keyword! Making yourself available for one another! In a world characterized by self-realization and individual striving, it seems to be increasingly difficult to find people who are willing to work together and commit themselves to the well-being of others.
If you look around you, you can see how difficult it has become to find craftsmen who are willing to do manual work. Everyone seems intent on going their own way, pursuing their own goals, getting a job in an office. It's as if everyone wants to be their own boss, but no one is willing to do the necessary work anymore.
Or in some large corporations, where the management has separated itself from the employees and no longer cares about the details of production because the shares and returns are more important than what is produced in the company.
Boeing is a good example here. We have heard that there have been problems with the airplanes recently. The reason is exactly this. The company was formerly run by engineers who looked at the quality of the airplanes. Today, the shares and shareholders play a more important role than the airplanes themselves. In order to maximize profits, part of the production was outsourced to external companies and there was no longer any influence on quality. The mistakes were pre-programmed.
Because the shepherd is nothing without the sheep, and the sheep are lost without the shepherd. It is about unity, about togetherness, about caring for one another. A good shepherd is characterized not only by his ability to lead the flock, but also by his love for the sheep and his empathy for their needs.
But we should not forget that we are all part of a greater picture. The "shepherd - sheep" system must be viewed as a unit. Like the shepherd who looks after his flock, we are also dependent on each other. We are called to be there for each other, to support each other and to move forward together.
In the Bible, we find numerous examples of how important it is to stand up for and support one another. Jesus himself taught us to love and serve one another. He said: "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). These words remind us that true greatness lies not in self-fulfillment, but in serving others and working for their good.
It is time for us to rethink our attitudes and remember what really matters: community, solidarity and the willingness to be there for one another. Let's stop being selfish and use our gifts and skills for the good of all. Because only together can we bring about true change and shape a better future.
But it is not only spiritual shepherds such as priests who are called to be good shepherds. Each of us can become a good shepherd in our own environment, be it as parents, teachers, friends or simply as fellow human beings. It is about loving one another, being there for one another and supporting one another, especially in difficult times.
In our world that is often characterized by selfishness, violence and indifference, we need good shepherds more than ever who care for their flock and lead them on the right path. Let us therefore work together to be good shepherds, women and men, following the example of Jesus, the good shepherd.
Amen.
~ Prior, Fr. Anastasius Reiser, OSB