I will Search for My Sheep!

 

20th week Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Year One

Judge 9:6-15

Then all the lords of Shechem and all Beth-millo came together, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar[a] at Shechem. When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you lords of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. ( Judge 9:6-7).

Abimelech wants become king. He becomes king forcing his way. He kills his own brothers and becomes king. He does not stop with that he keeps doing harm people and even taking lives. He rules as king for three years. In his destructive works at tower a woman drops mill stone on his head and he dies. Thus the rule of kin Abimelech comes to an end. It in normal for every one to seek power and position. It is wise not seek for it forcefully and even to the extent of causing harm to others. Any power and authority is for service and not yet all for name and fame of a person. Let us seeking only power for service not for selfish motive. If at all one seeks power by force for self-gain; certain it will be like the life of king Abimelech.

Are we aware that power, authority and position are for service?

Year Two

Ezek 34:1-11

I will Search for My Sheep!

Shepherds guard the sheep. The shepherd walks in front of the sheep and the sheep follow him. Sheep are very faithful and trust the shepherd. As the sheep are delicate and tender animals they need special care. The good shepherd gives that care to his sheep. He not only feeds and lives on them but also cares for them. The shepherd's care for the sheep is equal to the care of his affairs and health.

The Lord is the shepherd of Israel. The people of Israel lacked a good shepherd among them. He sends the prophets as their shepherds. As the sheep lacked good shepherds so too the people lacked good shepherd who could guard them and protect them. The people are scattered and attacked by evil ones.  The Lord himself will God search for his people and save them. God will not abandon his people. His love is like a good shepherd.

Who are my shepherds?

Mt 20:1-16a

 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.  Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Mt 20:14-16).

In the parable of the master and worker who come to work in his field at different times, the master pays the same remuneration to all; at this those who came early felt cheated. The master of the field says, “it is  my money, so I pay as I wish and I paid you for what I have agreed with you.”

It is the Lords wish to give each one what he wants. The Lord came to give us salvation. He suffered, died and rose for all of us. We all share in his resurrection.  At the end of the world, he saves the whole humanity. The Son of man came so that no one may be lost.  God’s ways are not our ways. The world and people tend to be selfish in their thinking but God’s way is different.

Who are we to question the generosity of God?

St Bernard of Clairvaux

Fr Putti Anthaiah sdb