The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1956-04-13
Shepherd and Flock

Since the liturgy is now commem0rating the
time Christ spent among His disciples, alter me
Resurrection. it is natural that He should be
presented as Sundays Gospel presents Him,
under the figure of the Good Shepherd
II is a title He applied to Himself-"l am the
Good Shepherd. and know Mine and Mine know
Me II is title that would have special mean
Ing for the people to whom He spoke for His
life on earth was spent il a pastoral country,
where the fIocks of sheep grazing quietly on the
hills under the watchfu care of their shepherds,
were in constant view, picture of peace and
security.
It is figure, inherited from the Old Testa-
ment that has been part of Christian thinking
from the beginning: il inspired frescoes and
carvings in the cstacombs and has been continued
In the development of all branches OF Christian
art through the centuries. And it has deeper
appeal than ever to our modern mechanzed CIV
ilizaton, for we sorely miss the tranquility, the
simplicity, the wholesomeEess that ii suggests
To worried, bewildered people everywhere the
thought of the Good Shepherd, concerned for
their welfare, exercising His divine wisdom and
power in their behalf must bring consolation
for the refuffs of daily life, and courage to
meet the trials that press in so relentlessy.
Christ warns His flock, too against the
false shepherd-the "hireng, who is not
shepherd, whose own the sheep are not" The
hirenR pretends to guide and help the sheep, but
when he sees the wolf coming he LEAVES the
sheep and flees And the wolf snatches and scat
ters the sheep" How many of these false shep
herd are among us today boastful pretentous,
claiming 10 be able TO show the way to hap
pinessl
There is the atheist, who urges men 10 forget
their obligations to God and to rely upon their
own" resources; and the materlalist who says
that worldly possessions all that man needs;
and the secular scientist who insists that knowl
edge Of the workings of nature will make man
supremely content; and the Communist, who Of
fers detailed plan that combines the worst
features of atheism and materalism and tells
man that he must make himself slave of the
state. there are other advocates of selfishness
and indulgence, of indecency and immortality.
All of these are hirelings, seeking for their
own profit to mslead men and bringing only
sorrow and disillusonment upon themselves and
those who are so foolish as TO believe them.
The wolf Of disorder and hatred is waiting TO
pounce upon the flock which puts itself in charge
OF these false shepherds, and the sad effects
can be seen all over the world today.
With what confidence and thankfulness should
We then, stay close to the Good Shepherd, Who
leads and guards us, and Who has laid down
His life for u.s. Shall we not listen intently for
the sound of His voice as He calls us from
places of danger and into the course He selects
for u.s. And can We not help bring to Him
those who now do not know Him He
pleads for us 10 do? They, too belong to Him,
and He wants them 10 hear His voice so there
shall be one fold and Shepherd Toward
that unity we should strive, for il is the unity
OF peace in Christ