Just a word before we go...Fourth Sunday of Easter...April 30, 2023

In the past several days I have had the opportunity to be privilege of being present at two momentous occasions, both of which took place at Fairfield University. One was the dedication of a classroom in the School of Nursing, to Jean Dawe, a recently deceased nurse; the other was a tribute to Dr. Paul Lakeland, a very much alive, retiring professor. Although the reasons for the celebrations differed, as did the fields in which each honoree worked, Jean and Paul possessed much in common as they excelled in their professions: they both were attuned to teachable moments; both were champions of the common good; both were leaders in their field; both were mentors concerned with making the best of their accumulated knowledge and wisdom available to all; both fully developed their gifts and talents for the benefit of others; both worshipped in the community of St. Anthony’s, where they recognized and absorbed the voice of the Good Shepherd.

This week the image of the Good Shepherd is presented to us that we might consider the Lord as our shepherd, the one who cares, guides and protects his flock, even to the point of putting his life on the line. While this is a comforting idea, we have to be careful not to soften or sentimentalize this image.  This shepherd did not while away the time dreamily keeping watch, but rather fought injustice, challenged the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of the day, gathered outcasts, the weak and the poor, and called and anointed his followers that they might have life in abundance. Likewise, we cannot dilute the image of our being the flock by thinking that we are docile sheep, blindly following our designated leader.  We follow by listening for the voice that inspires us to be who we are meant to be, serving in the roles that were created for us, and making the differences in the world that only we, in our personhood and in our particular circumstances, can make. 

The Good Shepherd has given us the example of authentic leadership, characterized by loving service. Our sharing in the power of his resurrection presents us with the challenge to not only  follow him, but also, to make the shepherding role our own.  We have seen examples of those who hear and respond to the voice of the Good Shepherd in such people as Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King. Jr., and closer to home, our Jesuit partners, and Jean Dawe and Paul Lakeland. 

As the People of God, bathed in the Resurrection, we are each called to make the effects of the Resurrection visible in the world.  In these unsettled times, the strength of the Easter message empowers us to give voice to His voice and to care for his people, in whatever way we can...all of us shepherds.