God's love for us is without end. For the whole length of the liturgical year we are able to see how God's love is made manifest for each of us. This love did not simply remain at a distance, but instead it came to dwell among us in the Incarnation which means that God took on our human flesh. This love did not end here, but instead it brought itself to the cross where God was willing to lay down His life for us. In death this love did not reach its ultimate culmination, but instead He rose again on the third day in fulfillment of the scriptures and thus the apostles were able reach out with faith and in return touch His wounds. From these wounds that they were now able to touch they realized how great God's love was for them.
Each of us here desires to both love and to be loved. We can realize a person's love for us simply through the words that they express. Of course words are not enough because they in return they must be seen. If a person has all the right words and answers, but they lack the ability to put these words and answers into motion we must in return question their ability to love. So too it is not enough to hear nor to see, but in time we must be moved towards touch. From the manifestation of touch we grow into close contact with another and thus our love for each other takes on a much deeper reality. God's love is so great because the Word became flesh, God's love is so great because we see His love for us as it is displayed to the world from the cross, and finally this love is so great because it can be touched because through the Resurrection God continues to reach out towards each of us.
Today we celebrate what is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The Gospel concerning the Good Shepherd teaches us of the love and concern that Christ has for each of us. This Gospel also teaches us of the need of all those who are entrusted with the salvation of souls to be Good Shepherds who are willing to not only speak the right words, to be seen living out the right actions, but also going about and being concerned with the salvation and wellbeing of others. If the Good Shepherd were to live in the safety of a bubble they would never be able to reach out and touch and draw souls towards the love of God. As followers of Christ none of us can think that we are off the hook, but instead we to must be concerned with not only professing the right words, accomplishing the right actions, but also reaching out to others and giving them through the love of our touch the gift of faith.
Pope Francis has most wisely instructed bishops and priests who have been entrusted with the salvation of souls: "Shepherds must smell like their sheep." Therefore I believe that it is safe to imply that if the Shepherd keeps his sheep at a distance it would in return be impossible for him to smell like them because he does not love them. Therefore I implore you, for my sake, to please wear nice cologne and perfume. But in all seriousness the life of a Good Shepherd is most difficult because the days are long and the needs great, the issues that arise are not always easy to give answer to, it is tough to walk with another at life's lowest moment and to know what to say, and sometimes out of charity the answer the comes the easiest cannot be given out of love for the wellbeing of their soul. Despite the tough parts of being a Shepherd there are so many blessings that are found in the Harvest of the Lord: the blessing of someone who truly desires to learn and live the faith, the return of a fallen away Catholic to the Church, the joys of a child who has entered into the waters of baptism where the stain of original sin has been washed away, the ability to absolve one's sin in confession thus restoring them to God, to witness the vows of a man and woman who through Holy Matrimony give themselves as a total outpouring of self to the other, and this list goes on and on.
I therefore implore you my brothers and sisters in Christ to please pray for me and for Father Bede, your pastor. Also, pray for all priests, bishops, and our pope who have been entrusted with the salvation of souls. Pray that we may hold steadfast and be willing to not only speak the right words, to live out the right actions, but to also be willing to reach out and touch thus beginning to smell like our sheep. Through this action alone can we truly become the bearers of God's love to the world. On this Good Shepherd Sunday also remember to pray for vocations to the priesthood. The Church is truly in need of good and holy priests who are willing to go out and smell like their sheep. May we all remember that God's love did not remain at a distance, but instead it came to dwell here with us and was crucified upon the cross. This love was so great that it triumphed from the cross and we now in return are able to reach out and touch this great font of love. In moments of weakness and need may we allow Christ and thus the gifts of His sacraments to bring comfort and healing to our heart. In return may we all truly be able to love as God has loved us. May our faith not only be knowing the right words, not only accomplishing the right actions (I am not saying that these are not important because they are!), but may we also be willing to go further and thus to reach out and to touch and in return to begin to lead others out of love towards God and thus the great gift that is His Church.
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