16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Parishioners,

In our celebration of the Lord’s Day on this 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time we hear scriptural texts which speak to us of the image of the shepherd. For Christians the Good Shepherd is the Lord Jesus Himself. He lovingly and selflessly provides pastoral care for His sheep. He gave His own life sacrificially on the Cross to bring about healing and reconciliation which brings about peace. In today’s second lection from the Letter to the Ephesians we read: “In Christ Jesus you who were once far off have become near by the blood of Christ…For He is our peace…He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”

Preaching peace, bringing about healing and reconciliation are indeed the pastoral charisms which the sheep continue to long for in their leaders. In writing these few simple lines to you I am reminded of my own unworthiness in trying to offer pastoral care to you. The Lord challenges me and all the ordained to see Him as the model par excellence and to model our ministry after His. The pastoral work which the Good Shepherd demands of His successors must be holy and without defilement, that is, without sin. In today’s reading from the Prophet Jeremiah we hear of the anger vented by the Lord upon those shepherds who have abused and neglected the sheep. How horrible it is to think of the abuse perpetrated by a small number of priests upon the little lambs and sheep so close to the heart of Jesus. Their sinful conduct will be punished severely!

Conversely, I am continually being encouraged by the seminarians and young priests I am privileged to work with. Their excitement and enthusiasm in being called to pastoral work is an encouragement to me and very life-giving in my ministry. I ask you to continue praying for our young people so that they may open their hearts to the Lord’s call to service in the priesthood or religious life. In addition to our prayers we must also show by actions that we are a people who love our “shepherds” by offering support, kind words and encouragement to the bishops, priests and deacons. The religious sisters also share in providing pastoral care for the sheep so loved by the Good Shepherd.

There are so many needs that the Lord’s shepherds must provide that at times it can become overwhelming. In today’s Gospel the Lord Jesus saw this and said to His Apostles: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” Many priests are not very good in following this advice from Jesus. Sometimes a “day off” doesn’t occur for weeks and this could be detrimental to the shepherd and the sheep. Summer time is a wonderful down time for us in the rectory with fewer meetings, instructional classes, etc. My assistants work very hard in our two parishes and I thank God that I have such good help in the pastoral department. Pray for us as we assure you of our prayers. And pray for our seminarians and novices so that they may be strengthened in their vocation.

With pastoral love,
Father Zig