Posted on julio 19, 2024 View all Gospel Reflection
Does anybody know where we are going?
In the first reading from this Sunday we hear the prophet Jeremiah warn “Woe to the shepherds who
mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the LORD.” (Jer. 23:1) In our daily lives most people
want to know where we are going. There are some who like adventure and surprise, but for most
people, we want to know that whoever is leading us knows the way. Even those who like the adventure,
ultimately want to end up in a good place.
But Jeremiah warns that not all who call us to follow them have good intentions. But to give us hope,
Jeremiah reveals the promise of the LORD who said: “I will appoint shepherds for them who will
shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing.” (Jer. 23:4)
So who are the shepherds we should follow? Jesus told us first that he is the Good Shepherd who will
give his life for his sheep. (John 10:11) He also appoints for us the Apostles to also serve as shepherds
for the Church.
When we want to travel somewhere, in the “old days” people would break out the maps and look up
their travel plans. Or they might travel and ask people along the way for directions. Sometimes that
would work out nicely, other times it was not as helpful. In some towns people give directions like “Go
straight down the road and turn where Joe used to live. It is just past the store that sells lumber but now
sells furniture.” They are telling a story about the journey with landmarks that are part of the town’s
shared experiences. As we journey towards heaven, we travel as a community of faith. Even if we are on
our own for a while, we are always part of that greater family of the Baptized. And so, we should use the
resources available for our journey.
I would say that travelling by way of stories is closest like reading the Old Testament in the Bible and
seeing how it leads us forward to Christ. To travel with maps, is perhaps closest akin to looking at the
beautiful and inspiring art that fills churches and how that should move us upwards and onwards to
heaven. An architect once told me that gothic cathedrals in particular were designed with the sweeping
pillars and stained-glass windows that rise upwards to keep us focused on above rather than below.
Finally, in our modern age where we use things like GPS and such, that is more like listening to the
Magisterium, as it is the repository of our faith and is always updating new ways to communicate to us
the truth that Jesus Christ entrusted to it.
I know that when I travel using my GPS, I trust that it has gathered all the available information to keep
me away from traffic jams, accidents, and to avoid roads that are closed or under construction. It may
not always take me on straight and big roads, but it does seek to guide me on the path towards my
ultimate destination in the best way possible.
As we look forward to this coming week, let us take time to pray as Jesus told his disciples. “Come away
by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” (Mk 6:31) In the summer is an excellent time to stop
at a “rest stop” on our travel towards heaven. It also helps us to get our bearings, to make sure we are
on the right path, and to check out our spiritual engines to make sure they are running well.
As we go forth, in community and in union with Christ’s Church, the Lord – our Good Shepherd – will
lead us to the verdant pastures and restful waters. Even though our lives may be passing through a dark
valley, we should fear no evil for He is at our side, guiding us, loving us and leading us to eternal life.
