“When
they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son
of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again
Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son
of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you
know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. “
Jesus instructed Peter, the first Pope, to tend to his flock
and feed his sheep. This is the purpose of the clergy. Yet, one of the common
reasons Catholics give for leaving the Church for another faith tradition is
that they aren’t getting anything out of Mass. They aren’t being fed. Hungry
sheep wander off in search of nourishment.
My brothers in diaconate formation and I are getting ready
to start our second year of instruction on homiletics. When Catholic clergy
preach during the Mass they give homilies, not sermons. Protestants typically
give sermons during their services. A sermon is preaching about anything the
pastor wants to preach about. A homily is a bit different. A good homily takes
the readings from the Mass and makes them relevant for the people today. There
is a bit of instruction, maybe even a challenge. It is the primary place where
we feed the flock.
We have been told by our instructors that we are to take no
more than five minutes to give our homilies. We can stretch that to seven
minutes for a Sunday Mass. Shorter is always encouraged. One instructor even
told us that we need to hone our skills so we can get a homily said in a minute
or less. A former pastor was able to give an effective homily in just five
words. Many of today’s parishioners don’t have the attention spans or patience
for much more.
But is this really wise? Our Lord has instructed us to feed
his flock and the flock is fleeing in search of food. The ones who are still
here are looking at their watches and if you go too long they tune out.
Bringing the hard message, the message that needs to be said, is next to
impossible any more. We almost have to spoon feed people sugary, processed
foods or they throw a fit and hold their breath until they turn blue. We have
brought the fast food culture to Church. Get it fast and go. The food is eatable
but living on it will make you sick.
The flock no longer wishes to be fed. They want to be
affirmed instead. They want to feel good about themselves with as little work
as possible. This is why preachers like Joel Olsteen and mega churches have
become so popular. You can go to church, drink your coffee, and come away
feeling good about yourself without the need to actually do very much in the
way of being a Christian.
Look at the rewards society is reaping because of this. Fathers
are inconsequential and the traditional family is under attack. Society is
polarized with anger and hate ruling the day. Anything goes and even your
gender is up to self identification without question. The flock is lost and
scattered. The wolves are feasting without opposition. The bleats of
desperation are deafening.
We need good shepherds willing to use their voices to draw
the sheep together as a flock again. We need a flock willing to listen to the
shepherds. We need a people willing to live as Christians and cast aside anger
and hate and show love to everyone, not just those who parrot the same things
they do.
Be the candle in the darkness.
