Shepherding

Reflection:

In the same manner Peter was called to shepherd the early Christian Church, we learn a few key concepts regarding shepherding a flock of believers. The family is the most basic and fundamental example of a flock and requires three key criteria. The father should no lead his family by force such as walking around telling everyone what to do but rather he should lead thru love and be open to God’s will of all of those entrusted to his care. Secondly, a father must remain passionate at all times for his vocation thru his time dedicated to the family, his words spoken to the family, and his heart sacrificed for the needs of his wife and children. The same way if a priest was not passionately in love with Jesus the Church members would notice and their faith would not be strengthened. However, in the end a father must lead by example. As St Paul puts it in his letter to the Ephesians, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So (also) husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” Additionally, this love between the husband and wife  should naturally pour out onto the lives of their children. The example the parents set regarding sacrificial love sets a great example for the love the children should have for each other and the respect their parents deserve.  Our actions are what children truly notice so if they see inconsistency between our words and actions they will believe our actions. So may all men discerning fatherhood this day reflect and grow on the characteristics of a good shepherd! St Peter please intercede for us!

Reading (1 Peter 5:  1 -4):
Beloved: I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ
and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.