4th Week of Easter

April 25, 2010

Acts 13, 14, 43-52
Rev 7: 9, 14-17
Jn 10, 27-30

While preparing for my turn to preach on one of the Seven Last Words in 2008, I was talking to a TV host-comedienne at the sacristy of the Shrine of the Divine Word. I invited her to join the Oasis of Love Catholic Community. The popular actress said: “Ay, Father, muntik na akong maging born-again (Father, I almost became a born-again). Nang nagkakaproblema na ako sa married life ko, binisita nil agad ako at binigyan ng advice from the Bible. (When I was having marital problems, they were there for me and gave me advice from the Bible).” She continued: “Ang bilis nila, Father, magshepherding. (They are so quick in shepherding, Father).”

What does good shepherding mean? In the gospel, Jesus said: “My sheep hears my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Shepherding means hearing his voice. We hear his voice through the Word of God. The first reading is an example how St. Paul and Barnabas spoke the Word of God to the Jews and later on to the Gentiles. “The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the Word of the Lord.” The actress’ born-again friends were actually guiding her through the Word of God.

Secondly, shepherding means knowing the sheep. Jesus said: “… I know them….” St. Paul and Barnabas knew that they were to preach the Good News to the Gentiles as the Lord commanded them. They knew that the Gentiles needed them most. And so, St. Paul and Barnabas were there for them. Good shepherding means being there when the sheep needs you the most. The actress must be experiencing deep pain because of her turbulent married life. Her born-again friends knew it…and they were there for her.

And thirdly, shepherding means giving the sheep an assurance or even a promise of a reward, and more specifically, God’s blessing. Jesus said: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” In the Second Reading, the Book of Revelation states: “…The Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” It is not difficult to speculate that the actress was promised with blessings from the Lord if she just believed.

Did the TV-host comedienne become born again? Your guess is as good as mine. She did not. Her mother, a very active parishioner who used to organize retreats for her co-workers, was most likely the actress’ best shepherd. The actress knows her mother’s voice as she would listen to her mother’s advice. And who would know the daughter’s pains better than the mother? Her mother would always be there for her. And finally, what better assurance could she ever have than the support, understanding and care of a mother. This is her God’s blessing.

This reflection may seem to have a happy ending. But it is not. It is a wake-up call that even makes me feel guilty. I realized that as a priest I have not been a good shepherd to my flock. Three haunting questions will always remind me of good shepherding. Do I fill up my homilies with senseless jokes and political issues not even related to the readings, instead of the voice of God from the scriptures, which will enlighten my sheep? Do I really know my parishioners and being there when they need me most? Do I always  assure my  flock of God’s blessings and lead them to deeper faith? If only I can do this as a shepherd, then a lot of Catholics will remain Catholics and a lot of born-again will be Catholics-again.

Fr. Arlo Yap, SVD
CKMS, Quezon City
The Word in Other Words