A Good Shepherd - A Baptism Homily

 

        I was in the Catskills earlier this week in an area known for its steep mountains and lush pastures – the perfect area to raise sheep. I love driving around up there at this time of year because it’s the height of lambing season, and everyone loves a cute little lamb. I saw hundreds of them, and they were as adorable as you can imagine. What I didn't see was a shepherd. It seems that the art of shepherding in the United States has gone to the dogs. So in case you’re not familiar with shepherding, allow me to share some of the responsibilities of a good shepherd.

          A good shepherd leads his flock to food and water, and makes sure that the sheep have all that they need to thrive. A good shepherd guides his flock down new paths, but follows them as they meander along familiar routes to make sure none go astray. A good shepherd knows his sheep by name, and is willing to lay down his life for them.

          Sound familiar? Well, I hope so because you just heard some of this in the Gospel I just read to you. But it may also sound familiar because being a parent is all about being a good shepherd. We have to provide for our children; we have to lead them down new paths, and we have to follow them with a watchful eye (I think we call it baby-proofing these days). Pope Francis adds that a good shepherd has to live so intimately with the flock that he “smells like the sheep.”[1] Well, that’s not too hard to accomplish as parents since small children tend to project everything that’s smelly about them all over us. But most importantly, we parents have to protect our children in a dangerous world, which may be the responsibility that scares us the most.

          Jess & Greg you’re shepherds now. You've taken on all of the responsibilities of a shepherd. I know you’ll be good shepherds. I know because I see the love you have for Audrey every time you look at her. Try to hang onto that look when she’s a teenager. But I also know that you’ll be good shepherds because you’re here today presenting Audrey for Baptism. You know that being a good shepherd is a tough job, and that you’ll need a lot help as you face the joys, and the responsibilities and the fears of parenting. So you've come with the support of your Church, your family and friends to ask God to help you in your awesome responsibilities as shepherds – to help you provide for Audrey, to lead her, to watch over her and to protect her – to help you be good shepherds.

          Through Baptism in Christ, the Good Shepherd, Audrey will receive more than we mere mortals can ever provide her, no matter how much we want to, or how hard we try. In Christ the Good Shepherd, Audrey will have eternal life. So in a moment, you’ll promise that you’ll do all that you can to make sure that Audrey knows the Good Shepherd. If you raise Audrey to know the Good Shepherd, she’ll be nourished with the bread from heaven (John 6:51) and with the waters of eternal life (John 4:14); she’ll find rest in green pastures (Psalm 23); and she’ll live her life knowing that she’s loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). What more could two good shepherds want for their adorable little lamb? 

Reading - John 10: 11-18.

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[1] Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (Vatican City, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Nov. 24, 2013) at 24.