Today is World Day of Prayer for Vocations, a day when we are invited to reflect on the meaning of God’s call and to pray for vocations. To help us reflect on the meaning of vocation – a call to serve others – the Church, in today’s Gospel, presents us with the figure of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
In biblical times there were two kinds of shepherds. There was the hired hand for whom minding the sheep was just a job. He would move from one flock to another depending on the conditions of service, but would never dream of risking his life for the sheep. If he saw wolves or thieves approaching, he would flee for dear life and leave the flock to the mercy of the marauders.
Then there was the shepherd-owner of the flock who stayed with the same flock all his life. He knew every sheep in his flock individually. He could call each one by name and relate the life story of each one – when and where it was born, the difficulties it had gone through, its characteristics or ‘personality’ so to speak. The Shepherd-Owner was devoted to his sheep. He knew which one was likely to lag behind the others on a long trek, and he would lift it up and carry it in his arms. He knew the one that was likely to stray from the flock and kept his eye out for it when passing through dangerous terrain. When attacked by wolves or thieves, he would fight to protect his sheep and even lay down his life for them.
The expression “laying down one’s life” comes from the practice in Israel of keeping the sheep in an enclosed space with just a narrow opening for the sheep to go in and out. At night the shepherd would lie down and stretch his body across the opening so that the sheep would not wander out and wolves would not enter in. If one of the flock went missing, he would climb mountains and hills looking for it, calling out its name. And whether the missing sheep had fallen into a pit or was trapped in a bush of thorns, as soon as it heard the voice of its master, it would bleat and the shepherd would go and rescue it.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is also proposing this image as a model for leadership among his disciples – a leadership where each person is known by name. For a society like ours, the Good Shepherd model of leadership is profoundly counter-cultural.
I think this is a good time now for me to speak of the way that Jesus Christ has called me specifically to be His Deacon.
Everybody has a vocation and that is different from a job. A vocation is something unique to you – something that reflects Gods gifts to you. The only way to find your vocation is by listening to the voice of God. I always expected God to have a deep male Irish voice, but I have learned that to be a mistake. Let me share my history of hearing problems.
My first path to a vocation was offered by my pastor Fr. Strohmeyer at St. Matthews. He thought I should serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion. Why me? All I had ever done was go to church.
The next pastor was Fr. David Wynan who knew about a new program being offered by The Diocese of Hamilton – the Permanent Diaconate. Why me? I had plans to be a wealthy entrepreneur.
The next voice was Fr. (Later Bishop) Bergie who explained to me that he had a problem with God stopping the call to Diaconate at the border between Oakville and Mississauga. Toronto Diocese had ordained Deacons since 1972. It was 2000 when we spoke and Hamilton Diocese was thinking about it. I didn’t even know I lived in Hamilton Diocese.
After two years of the application process and four years at St. Augustine Seminary I found myself being ordained by Bishop Tonnas. Luckily I was able to find the Cathedral!
The next four years found my ministry of service in a variety of prisons where I met Chris. The courts thought that he was a dangerous offender. I found him to be a person looking for God’s forgiveness and peace. He gave me purpose and focus. I was starting to recognize God’s voice. Maybe – perish the thought – God was not Irish!
Then came a meeting was with Fr. (Later Monsignor) Roger Formosi, right here at St. Dominic’s. Joanne and I thought we were being called by The Scarborough Foreign Missions to serve in The Dominican Republic but Fr. Formosi explained that that was a wrong number and God wanted us with Catholic Missions in northern Saskatchewan. No bathing suit required!
Four amazing, cold years later we realized what the many voices of God sound like and we are very grateful for His gifts, blessings, and call. As soon as the pandemic ends I am sure that He will want me back in the Kingston penitentiaries, BUT, I hope that I am a better listener now in case His call is different. Not my will but His!
––
The Good Shepherd Leader knows each person in his care individually and personally, his or her particular history, distinct abilities and needs. He knows each of us. He knows you!
There is only one shepherd. He is the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We have heard His voice. Even though we all stray at times, he chases us down, gathering us in his arms, close to his heart. There he removes our burs with his nail pierced hands and tends our wounds and makes us well and gives us life…His life laid down for his sheep. Hear the voice of Jesus. “I am the good shepherd, who lays His life down for his sheep.” Such is His love for you.
Yes, Jesus, I will be your Deacon. It has been the happiest and most joyful decision that I could have made. Jesus is calling. He is asking you: What are you listening for? What is your answer?
Whose voice is God using to speak to you?
-Dcn. Terry Murphy