We live in a world full of division. Ian Peoples, SJ, reflects on how Christians are called to remain close to Christ, who calls all people to follow him. Based on the readings for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Do you gather? Or do you scatter?
Hi, I’m Ian Peoples, and this is my one-minute reflection.
Today’s readings contain shepherd imagery throughout. The prophet Jeremiah says, “Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture.”
Too often, we witness various leaders in the Church and the secular world scatter rather than gather. As Christians, we are called to be shepherds of peace and love in spaces of hatred and misunderstanding.
How do we do this? By gathering close to Jesus Christ, the “Good Shepherd.” He is not just a symbol of peace, but “our peace” that has “[broken] down the dividing wall of enmity.” When we share Christ’s love, then we not only become gatherers, but catalysts for change.
Leading with Christ’s love means letting go of hatred or fear in our hearts. It means trusting that the Lord is our shepherd, and he calls us to follow and imitate him in all our thoughts, words, and actions.
Praying daily for the grace to follow the Lord is how goodness and kindness follow us all the days of our lives, and it is the way by which we gather others into Christ’s love.
