Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.)
The Lord has some dire words for shepherds in this reading. The words could also apply to farmers in general. Many years ago, I went to my first 4-H auction at a county fair. I bought an animal raised by a very young girl. When it had been auctioned off and the girl realized that the animal was heading for slaughter, she started crying. I returned her the animal. She had been raising the animal for life, not for slaughter.
Shepherds and beef farmers raise animals to sell for food, which means slaughter. In one sense they treat the animals well and try to protect them from unexpected pain and torture. They take no delight in the deaths, but the eventual death of the animals is the goal of raising animals for food. The goal of the shepherd or farmer is to raise animals in a dignified and careful way so that the animals come to maturity.
The prophet speaks to people who have responsibilities for the welfare of others, but who turn their intentions into providing only for themselves and not for average people. When the Lord takes over as shepherd, the Lord will not raise the sheep for slaughter, but will lead them to life everlasting.
Are we shepherds? Unless we own the sheep, we are working for the Lord and in the Lord’s stead. We are laborers for the Lord, not for ourselves. We are tasked to bring healing to the sick, strength to the weak, finding for the lost, bandages and splints for the injured. Our goal is to present to the Lord people made whole and alive for the praise and glory of God, the Chief Shepherd.
The next persons we meet will be people whom the Lord loves and cherishes. In our encounter, we become shepherds or them and they for us. How well will we shepherd?