Fr Jarek Kurek OSB
It struck me on a number of occasions that Irish people have a particular affection for the song The Lord is my Shepherd. It is, no one will deny, sung quite often in churches, especially at funerals. I wondered why this is so? Is it due to the fact that back in the 70’s four hymns were introduced to be sung at Masses, and this one simply came to the fore? Or one may explain this phenomenon as a consequence of the pastoral imagery the hymn evokes, no doubt close to the heart of any Irishman. The landscapes around, full of pastures and sheep come straight to mind. If we follow this sentimental path, it will be easy to form an image of Jesus as a Good Shepherd.
Now, visualising it, Jesus carries a sheep on his shoulders. He clearly looks after it. But of course that’s not all. As a good shepherd he will also feed it. And here we get to the nub of the problem. On the one hand there is this beautiful sentiment towards the image of our Lord as a shepherd. But on the other hand, yes, a serious question arises. Can we say that people in this country felt properly fed by the Church and her shepherds in the past? And when I say ‘fed’ I dare to ask, were the people really formed by the teaching they were supposed to receive?
Asking these rather challenging questions, I want to tell you about an intriguing document I came across recently. It was a letter written by some insightful priest on the occasion of his visit to Ireland in 1984. The priest was from Poland, of course. He is naturally impressed as he visits the most catholic country in the world. And yet he is struck by a number of things. Although the churches were still packed at the time, he detected a looming crisis for the institution.
What made him think that the end of the Church’s prosperity in Ireland was close?
The fact that only 11% of people said their attitudes were informed by the Church’s teaching. It wasn’t just his observation based on some conversations, no, he referred to a poll made at the time, that showed the overwhelming majority, 61%, took as their point of reference from their family and 23% from the media.
Interesting, isn’t it? Interesting, thought-provoking and challenging.
Today, is a good time, I think, for all of us to reflect upon this, so that we can draw what we need from our pastors and lack nothing. It is the role of the pastor, the Good Shepherd, to care for the flock, so that we do not feel abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.
By the same token, whoever you are, wherever you live, you may perhaps be happy to consider a new way of how to be fed. It may be the case, that it will require some effort on your part find a good shepherd, someone who will guide you, someone who will nourish your soul, direct you and provide you with food for thought.
Having found a teacher to lead you to Jesus, the ultimate Good Shepherd, you can then truly sing The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. […] Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me. You prepare a table for me […] and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Amen.