Newspaper Page Text
God-
Shepherd!
> PAGE 5-May 3,1973
(NC Photo)
“ALL THE RUSTIC SIMPLICITY and beauty of the image of the shepherd and his flock come to mind ...” A shepherd in Galilee tends his flock much like his
predecessors have done for thousands of years.
J (All Articles On This Page Copyrighted 1973 by N.C. News Service)
Know Y our F ai
The Shepherd Guides His Flock
BY BROTHER JAMES P. CLIFTON, C.F.X.
One of the most striking features of the inspired literature of
the Bible is the language and images used to describe God.
Unlike the precision and conciseness of more technical
catechisms and theological manuals, the Bible’s approach is
drawn more from men’s ordinary experiences and the ways of
describing these. It is however,, no. less theological,. for its
purpose is to communicate God’s saving truths about himself
and his creation. In its use of the language and methods of the
storyteller, poet, songwriter, prophet and preacher, Scripture,
like every other theological undertaking, has its own advantages
and limitations.
This can be seen in the choice of the shepherd as one of the
ways of portraying our God. All the rustic simplicity and beauty
of the image of the shepherd and his flock come to mind — even
if one’s only contact has been with the many artistic
representations of the Good Shepherd. And yet the full richness
of such a picture can easily be missed because shepherds and
flocks are somewhat remote for modem city-dwellers. It can all
seem to belong to another time and place.
Yet the shepherd-like character of our God speaks to many
of our modern needs. Technological, bureacratic society has
been blamed for creating feelings of alienation among its
members. Governments, corporations, agencies are faceless and
impersonal.
Anonymity is escaped for many only because each person
has a social security number. A man’s or woman’s value rests
more on productivity and conformity than on his or her unique
personality needs. Even in those places where care and concern
could be counted on with certainty - the family, neighborhood,
parish - there exists an insensitivity, a businesslike air that only
accentuates people’s yearning for love.
The efforts to satisfy this want take many forms - not all of
them constructive and rewarding. The nonconformist and
criminal may hope to have at least their names recognized and
remembered. Some hope to receive some love and care from
sexual involvements that may or may not express real personal
commitment. Still others seek to find identity and concern by
generously giving themselves to family, to their civic and church
groups, to those who are victimized and discriminated against.
In the midst of this search for personal recognition and
compassion, what does the image of the shepherd tell us about
God? First of all, despite all his majesty and power, God is
sincerely concerned about his creatures, especially men. And his
concern is not selfish. Quite the contrary, his solicitude and
guidance exist for the good of his flock.
But our Shepherd-God is much more than a master and guide.
He knows each of us by name and he addresses each one as an
individual. In turn, and just as striking, he listens to his sheep.
His concern goes beyond those who are his own to those sheep
that are not within the flock. In the final analysis, God as
shepherd is at the service of his creatures.
All of these ideas we may have become accustomed to, so
much so that we miss the amazing revelation of God contained
in the title of shepherd. The loss can only distort the true
character of our God and deprive modern man of one antidote
to his feelings of alienation and loneliness.
(NC Photo by Robert Nandell)
“HIS POWER .. . comes to us in love. It is power
we feel in strong arms that lift us, embrace us, carry us
gently forward.” A television technician plays good
Samaritan and holds a baby for a woman who wanted
to shake hands with a political candidate during last
year’s elections.
BY FATHER CARL J. PFEIFER, S.J.
“If a man loses reverence for any part of life, he will lose his
reverence for all life.” These words of Albert Schweitzer strike
me as particularly relevant today. In many areas of our culture
there is an unfortunate lack of respect and reverence.
Albert Schweitzer’s life as well as his teachings center on
reverence. As a profound theologian he respected ideas,
tradition, books. As a skilled musician and composer he knew
the value of beauty, art, relaxation. As a physician he showed a
sensitive reverence for the human body, for suffering persons.
A dedicated Christian missionary, he recognized the value pf
the deepest realities of human life, now and hereafter. Through
his varied and remarkable experiences he developed a deep
reverence for God, present in all that is.
At the same time I came across Schweitzer’s statement on
reverence I also noticed several paintings of the Good Shepherd.
An early Christian artist painted Jesus carrying a lamb on his
shoulders. A contemporary Indian artist portrayed Jesus trying
to free a lamb from a bramblebush. An Iranian weaver created a
carpet depicting Jesus catching sight of a lost lamb wandering
far from the flock.
BY FATHER QUENTIN QUESNELL, S.J.
We stumble around in our naming of God, piling one image
on top of another. Exact and scientific terms say a little. Some
picutre-words say more. But all human words in all languages
together would be far from enough.
It is true to say that God is “the holy one,” and so exalted
we cannot sepak his name. But it is even truer to say that he is
very, very close, and that he calls each one of us by name.
It is true that we cannot help recognizing and respecting his
almighty power as “the Lord.” But it is even more important to
appreciate the fact that his power is always being used for our
advantage and protection. It comes to us in love. It is a power
we feel in strong arms that lift us up, embrace us, carry us
gently forward.
It is true that God is the mighty “rock” on whom we stand
BY FATHER JOSEPH M. CHAMPLIN
Father Robert Vogt wears his hair and sideburns moderately
long. Not down to the shoulders but not in an old-fashioned
crewcut style either. That moderation in appearance
characterizes the moderation of approach he takes to liturgy
after 11 years in the priesthood. His attempts are progressive,
but preserve good elements from earlier days. Contemporary,
yet careful to keep a link with the past, they strive to create a
celebrating effect, but with an element of prayerfulness, faith
and reverence.
His pastor, Msgr. Patrick Woods, founded St. Edmund’s
parish eight years ago in Tonawanda, a suburb of Buffalo.
Together they serve the spiritual needs of approximately 1,400
families and the following list of special worship celebrations
should indicate what fine progress has been made there in
liturgical renewal.
1. An 11:00 a.m. weekday Mass for “housewives and little
children.” This Eucharist, obviously for others as well, takes
place in a temporary downstairs chapel with chairs situated near
and around the altar. The hour and location makes it possible
The three artists were attempting to convey in their own
style Jesus’ stories about himself as the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:
1-18; Mt. 18-14). A good shepherd, Jesus says, knows and loves
each lamb in his flock.
He will go off in search of one that may wander away and get
lost. Happily he carries back the lost lamb on his own shoulders.
Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd -- showing toward
each person similar qualities of care, concern, and love.
Through the centuries, particularly in the first centuries of
the Church’s history, Christians frequently recalled with
devotion the image of Jesus as Good Shepherd. That image sums
up the role of Jesus as savior and redeemer of mankind. It also
focuses attention on the humanness of his love for each
individual.
The accident of reading Schweitzer’s statement about
reverence and seeing the three art representations of Jesus as
Good Shepherd helped me realize in a fresh way how reverent
and respectful Jesus is. The Good Shepherd symbol beautifully
suggests his reverence for all that lives, for all that exists. The
image connotes his particular respect for those who are often
and can build secure. But we don’t have to search out that rock,
go into the desert to find it, approach it on our own. He comes
to us, no matter how far we have wandered. He takes us to
where we will be safe, where he can take care of our needs, and
stand guard over us.
The biblical word that tries to express some of these other
qualities of our God is “shepherd.” “He led forth his people like
sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; he led
them in safety, so that they were not afraid, and he brought
them to his holy land ...” (Psalm 78).
“Shepherd” speaks of concern. The shepherd is the God who
really cares. He will go to any lengths, put forth any effort, to
find and help and heal, to nourish and warm and love. “I myself
will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie
down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring
back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled and I will
strengthen the weak; and the fat and the strong I will watch
for 20 - 30 to gather daily and worship well in a space which
fosters an intimate, community spirit.
2. Baptisms at the 4:30 Saturday afternoon Mass.
Announced in advance through the bulletin, it attracts a larger
than usual congregation with many approaching the proud
parents afterwards and congratulating them.
3. Personal stoles for the baptized child. These vestments
bearing “Welcome to Jesus” with the infant’s name on them are
a joint venture of adult women and high school girls at St.
Edmund’s. The parents learn who made the stole and frequently
invite them home for the family celebration after the baptismal
liturgy.
4. Couple-prepared weddings. The priests stress that this is
their day, their ceremony and emphasize the importance of
planning an event which will be a moving experience for all the
guests in attendance. Father Vogt also encourages bride and
groom to keep the booklet used for preparation of the nuptial
service in their wedding album as a later reminder of how they
personally developed this liturgy.
over. I will feed them in righteousness’ (Ezekiel 34,15ff.).
“Shepherd” speaks of guidance. “The sheep hear his voice,
and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Then he
goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his
voice.” We may not know where we are going, or where we
should go, or even where we really want to go. But God knows.
And through all the events of a lifetime, he is leading us there.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie
down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he
restores my soul” (Psalm 23).
In the New Testament, Jesus shows how all the biblical riches
of this image come alive in himself. He adds one note that God
could not show or explain about himself in the Old Testament.
For us it is the most important of all, and the one that gives the
deepest truest meaning to all the rest: “I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John
10,15).
5. Communal celebrations of Penance for families. The first
of these drew 30 participants; the second nearly 400. It follows
the structural pattern (readings, songs, prayers, reconciliation
action) now rather standard throughout the United States, but
accentuates attendance by the entire family. Good, healing
things have happened in homes as a result of these liturgies.
6. Penance service for Shrove Tuesday. “Are you crazy?”
Father Vogt objected when a parish worship team first
suggested the idea. “Mardi Gras and last minute before Lent
parties leave little room for desire for a Penance liturgy.” But
the committee voted him down (10-2), planned the ceremony,
then smiled at its success.
7. Holy Thursday adoration hours. After the evening Mass of
the Lord’s Supper (7:30), 300 kept vigil before the Blessed
Sacrament from 9:00 to 10:00; 150were there from 10:00 to
11:00; around 70 prayed during the concluding 11:00 to 12:00
slot. A priest and two lectors conducted this devotional hour
marked by songs, readings, prayers and moments for personal
reflection.
Why did so many come? Families in the parish were assigned
a given hour for adoration. Did this cut into attendance at the
Mass itself? That remains an unanswered question. ,
8. First Friday Masses for children. Grades one to eight of
the Catholic school participate in these monthly celebrations
with active involvement by many of the students (gift bearers,
readings, etc.). The 270 on hand naturally would not fit into the
sanctuary. However, several members of each grade,
representing their brothers and sisters in that class, do come
forward and stand around the altar. Those so designated, I am
told, consider it a great honor and others look forward to their
turn.
9. Diversified Sunday schedule. There is fairly widespread
agreement today among those engaged in the pastoral ministry
that a parish of substantial size should seek to offer a varied fare
of Sunday Masses. This would mean eucharistic liturgies with and
without singing, featuring guitar or organ, “modern” and
“traditional” (vague, elusive terms) designed to suit in an
acceptable, authorized manner the different tastes of
parishioners. St. Edmund’s has that type of arrangement.
Every now and then we need to look back, to note where
and how far we have come. These practices in a suburban
Buffalo parish, while not in truth that novel or extraordinary,
do demonstrate what has and can be done with the liturgy.
There has indeed been progress - remarkable progress in a brief
period of time.
Jesus, Man of Reverence, Good Shepherd
not treated with respect, the lonely, the lost, those who may
not fit into the crowd.
Further reflection on the Gospels shows many examples of
Jesus’ reverent dealings with people of all kinds -- wealthy and
poor, influential and powerless, happy and sad, sick and well,
saint and sinner. His sensitive respect for all is poetically
captured by St. Matthew when he says of Jesus: “The bruised
reed he will not crush” (Mt. 12:20). Reverence is one of the
most obvious, yet often unnoticed, marks of Jesus’ life.
It seems that in an age characterized in many ways by a lack
of respect for things, a lack of reverence for life, a failure to
appreciate the value of the individual person, religious education
might pay special attention to ways of fostering an attitude of
reverence. Parents, perhaps more than any others, have the
opportunity to encourage reverence - most of all by themselves
being reverent and showing respect.
The image of the Good Shepherds can help us remember
Jesus’ own sensitive reverence as a call to live reverent lives
ourselves. “If a man loses reverence for any part of life, he will
t* »i i • ii
Progress In Parish Worship