Fourth Sunday of Easter

The Inclusive Flock

THERE WILL BE ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD.

Gracious God, we give you thanks for the gift of being part of a community that both challenges and protects us. Shepherd us through the challenges that can divide us so that we can be united in your love.

Share a time when a group you belonged to was splintered because people could not agree.

When he served in Bangladesh, Maryknoll Father Lawrence Schanberger regularly got a ride from Sultan, a Muslim boatman who became his friend.

From his experience working with the Muslim community in Bangladesh, the late Maryknoll Fr. J. Lawrence Schanberger,
M.M., shared the following story: It was our turn to have the annual Eucharistic procession in our village of Tuital, Bangladesh. Everyone prepared diligently. The day before the procession a neighboring Christian village advised us that, because of some Christian-Muslim tensions there, we should not have the procession. Our villagers were very disturbed because they had prepared so well. I decided to ask my poor Muslim boatman, Sultan, to consult with his malobi (head of the mosque) about whether we should have the procession. He quickly returned and said, “The malobi said, ‘Not only should you have your procession, but you must have your procession.’” So, the procession was held, and it was more beautiful than ever. (Maryknoll Magazine, Sept. 2018)

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” Jn 10:11-18

Jesus tells us we are meant to be one flock with one shepherd, but there are always people trying to lead us astray. Within a community of missionary disciples, there are often divisions or conflicts that scatter us. For us to walk together, we need to keep our focus on what Jesus said and did and apply that to the challenges we face today. That happens best when we embrace inclusivity and have honest discussions and discern together.

What are the divisions that the Spirit is inviting you and your community to address today through dialogue and inclusion?

Take on the synod theme of communion by working to bring your community closer together. Think about how your community might not be as connected as it should be. Figure out three ways to unite your community. Don’t be afraid to connect with communities that see things differently; it’s an opportunity to build unity, even if there are disagreements.

Learn more about synodality from Fr. Joe Healey, MM.

Good Shepherd, guide us in the unity that comes from being one flock gathered in your love. Hold us together as we venture out in mission to be a sign of your presence in our families, communities and the world.