Teaching: Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okami
GOSPEL
The gospel presents Jesus to us as the shepherd who cares first for his disciples and then the people and he was ready to sacrifice his comfort and rest to take care of their needs out of genuine sympathy.
The questions we shall stay alone and ask ourselves today are;
Am I a responsible man and husband at home? Am I a responsible wife, woman and mother at home? Am I a responsible leader of my association, group or organization? Am I a responsible boss, manager, lecturer, teacher, nurse, doctor? Am I a responsible worker or staff? Are we responsible parents? Am I a responsible Elder? Am I a responsible in-law? Am I a responsible priest?
From all the readings of today let’s identify five key indications of a responsible person;
1. A responsible person/leader cares for and he/she is sensitive to the needs of those under his/her watch. He knows what they need and makes effort to meet it.
Jesus knew the disciples would be tired, he knew the people needed a shepherd. He knew what they needed, he didn’t wait to be told- though they came for more miracles, he decided to teach them because that’s what they needed.
In doing that, he fulfilled the Psalm of today – he spread the spiritual banquet table, he led the lost sheep into the green pastures of his soothing words, he caused them to lie down beside the still waters of his wonderful blessing.
We are told that Jesus was moved with compassion- esplanchnisthe- that is a sympathetic feeling that starts in the deepest region of a person’s being. A sincere feeling of pity and a willingness to help.
Many of us today are guilty of apathy- that is the absence of emotion, we see the needs but we do not care. We do not care for those around and under us.
There is so much hunger, tears, sorrows and depression around but we fail to notice, we notice and are unmoved and sometimes we justify our indifference.
You listening to me, do you care for those in need around you?
2. A good shepherd is one who is approachable, available and accessible:
Take note that Jesus and his disciples wanted to be alone by themselves to eat and rest. However, when confronted by human needs. About 15,000 to 20,000 people who have walked about 10miles and so Jesus set himself to teach them.
How many of our religious leaders, political leaders or even bringing it home- how many of our men are available to their families and children and are accessible and approachable to those around us? We are often high up there, frowning, aggressive, light tempered and scary.
Are you approachable, accessible and available to those whom God has placed under your watch?
3. A responsible shepherd/leader/ person gives a good example.
Many of us teach by precepts, not by example. Jesus didn’t just teach us to love, to be humble or care for others. He showed us. How many of us are living exemplary lives? How many of us can we call sources of inspiration? Spiritual models? How many of us are treading the path of virtues and integrity leaving heroic legacies behind? How many of you want your children to become like you? What example are you giving the world? What will the world look like if everybody becomes like you?
4. A responsible shepherd is one who sacrifices for the welfare of those under his care.
Many of us today are so self-centred. We seek our own interest even to the detriment of others. We are ready to make others sacrifice to meet our needs but we find it difficult to sacrifice and bear any inconvenience for the sake of others.
We see Jesus today, even though tired, hungry; he ought to respond with anger to the unexpected demands on his ebbing energy. He sacrificed his comfort for them. This is what the bad shepherd in today’s first reading won’t do.
According to today’s second reading also, he made the supreme sacrifice, which has restored peace among divided people. He offered his own body as a sacrifice to break down the barrier erected between the Jews and Gentiles.
How willing are you to sacrifice for others to have comfort, joy and to live again?
If you are told to donate blood or one of your vital organs to restore someone to health, you will probably want to find every reason to say “NO!” Whereas if you are the one in need, you want everyone to hasten up to donate theirs. Whenever we find it difficult to suffer or lose something for someone, let’s take a look at the crucifix and see someone who donated not just an organ but the whole of himself for us.
How sacrificial are you for others?
5. A responsible person is one who sets time aside to be alone with God, to examine himself, to re-evaluate his life and commitments with the consciousness that one day he will render full and detailed account to God just as the apostles rendered account to Jesus today
Conclusion
In conclusion, the readings of today are not just a challenge to us but there is also the dimension of consolation and I won’t fail to end with it.
Jesus is the good shepherd who knows our needs and cares for us;
Jesus cared for the people not just as a crowd but individually. He knows the need of all. He saw the individuals in the crowd.
As you are here listening to me, God sees not just a congregation but individuals.
He is seeing every broken heart, every physical ailment, every emotional need, every spiritual problem, he sees your sick child, he sees the abused wife and molested girl, he sees the depressed father, he sees your disappointment, frustrations and how doubt threatens to destroy your faith, he sees your painful struggles, he sees how you struggle to deal with your imperfections even though everyone is condemning you, he sees what you are going through on account of your children, he sees how sad you are and the trace of your tears even though you tried to use makeup to cover it up, he sees the agony you go through in the garden of your home, he sees the scourging at the pillar by your in-laws, he sees the crown of thorns placed on your head by those you trusted, he sees how heavy the spiritual, financial, psychological and emotional cross you carry, he sees how people have crucified you despite your innocence.
Jesus says to you today “don’t break down, I care for you, no matter your imperfections and moral weaknesses, I will never ignore you in your misery.”
Take a deep breath and say after me “thank you, Jesus, for your care for me, teach me to understand that I am not alone, that you are with me, help me to be responsible and to extend your love and care to others in their moments of need. Amen.
Concluding part of the 2 part series of the sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okami at the Catholic Church of the Presentation, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday, July 22, 2018