THE WORD THIS WEEKEND

In the Easter season, we celebrated the Good Shepherd.  But still, the word this weekend at Catholic mass is SHEPHERD.  Two thousand years ago, when Jesus Christ walked this earth, the staple meat was lamb.  Sheep are not difficult to raise as long as you have great fields in which they can forage, water for them to drink and protection from wild beasts who are their predators.   Seeing to all that was the job of the shepherd.  

Many times Jesus referred to His followers as sheep.  For them, He was the Good Shepherd.  Later, His Apostles referred to His church as a flock of sheep.  The Apostles and and those that followed them are the shepherds.  

We have a reading from the Old Testament Book of Jeramiah in which the prophet warns of bad shepherds.  Also, we have a reading from Paul's letter to the Ephesians in which he emphasized that all peoples should be part of the flock of the Church.  In a short Gospel passage from Mark's work, Jesus went looking for solitude but the people found Him and flocked to Him - like sheep.  So, the Good Shepherd taught them.

All these readings surround the beautiful prayer of Psalm 23 - the most famous of all psalms.  I think of it often.  Here it is for you.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul.  He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.   You set a table before me in front of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.   Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days.

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