It was 3:00 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon and like almost any other parish in America, it was time for confession. But this time, the atmosphere of Confession was particularly moving. There in the front of the line was a young father, with five of his children behind him. Imagine, what an impact this father has on his children. He was truly shepherding his children, they were not like sheep without a shepherd, because their father was leading them into the pathway of grace and a deeper communion with our God.

    We have clear images of sheep and shepherd in today’s readings. In the gospel, we see the crowds continually seeking Jesus, following Him, constantly hoping to encounter our blessed Lord. Jesus sees this wandering and searching crowd and as the gospel says, “His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.” We are those sheep. Each one of us need the guidance and direction of our Lord, our Good Shepherd. Whenever we wander from the right paths or into the valley of darkness, we know that the Lord is our guide. The Lord is our Shepherd.

    Nevertheless, I want to draw our attention away from being sheep, but more towards our role as shepherds. The Old Testament gives testimony to a great struggle with shepherds. The prophet Jeremiah says in the first readings:“Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture.” There were many false shepherds and leaders of God’s chosen people who did not fulfill their role as shepherds. And so thus says the Lord: “I, myself, will gather the remnant of my flock.” and “I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the Lord.” The prophet Micaiah says that he “sees all of Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd.” 

    It is clearly our duty to be good shepherds of what is given us. Hopefully, we don’t look out and see all of Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. I speak now in particular to our fathers & mothers, grandparents & spiritual guardians. But especially to fathers. Are you being good shepherds? Or do you see all of Israel scattered like sheep without a shepherd? It speaks wonders when our sheep see our shepherds living out their roles as shepherds!!

    How moving it is when a son or daughter sees their father waiting in the confessional line, willing to bend down on his knees and open his heart to the listening ears of God the Father. Or solemnly approaching this altar of sacrifice, offering his struggles and his whole life’s work. And receiving strength in the life of Christ through the Holy Eucharist. Or adoring our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament…leading the family in meal prayers, the rosary, and daily prayers.