Over the Tower doors of the church building, there is a statue of Jesus the Good Shepherd. This shepherd looks young but reasonably confident. He seems to have a bag of provisions but no armor. The rescued sheep is carried on his shoulders, and in a beautiful, intimate gesture, the sheep’s head is craning towards the face of the Good Shepherd. This statue is a striking contrast to the image in the stained glass window over the West doors of the church, which features St. Michael the Archangel, armed for battle. There certainly is a place for such an image of protection, of Michael bravely battling the forces of evil. But in a violent world that is often hyper-defensive, I personally feel a greater draw to the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd.
For 130 years, the faithful have entered the doors of our parish church building where the statute of Jesus the Good Shepherd now stands (it was added some decades after the church was constructed). For 130 years on this site in Rosemont, sheep have ritually entered into the sheepfold. At times in our history, there has been division, deep challenges, and looming danger, but what has kept the sheepfold of our parish church in existence has been the indefatigable love of the Good Shepherd.
Have you noticed how, throughout Scripture, Jesus fails to get embroiled in others’ anxiety and conflict? Have you detected how non-anxious and non-defensive he is when confronted with accusations, snide questions, and even death? The statue of the Good Shepherd over the Tower doors to our church reminds us of the source of our strength, life, hope, and protection. That source is the life of prayer, offered to God the Father, in the Name of Jesus the Good Shepherd, by the power of the Holy Spirit. That prayer, anchored in God’s gracious providence, is the only thing that can explain the continuing existence of this parish church today.
The love of the Good Shepherd reminds us that no matter how much we stray or wander and no matter how much danger we face, our hope and strength are found in God alone. Indeed, the Church’s very unity will be found in heeding the voice of the Good Shepherd, and if we take St. John’s words seriously, we will likely be very surprised at those we encounter in the sheepfold of eternal life. Those numbers will be larger than we could ever have fathomed or, in our sinfulness, have wanted. We tune out the Good Shepherd’s voice when we get caught up in reactivity and anxiety. We heed his voice when we quiet our own voices and emotions to hear his gentle but confident voice calling, “Come and follow me.”
In my nearly four years as rector of this wonderful parish, I have seen a beautiful congregation of sheep forming and becoming one in love under the guidance of the Good Shepherd. When I arrived here in August of 2020, I could never have predicted that our little sheepfold would look like it does today. I am always surprised at those who decide to walk under the statue of the Good Shepherd and into this parish church, clearly following the voice of Jesus. In the wider Church’s current anxiety over decline, we forget that there is no quick-fix method of getting people through the gate into the sheepfold. Ultimately, that’s not really our job. The voice of the Good Shepherd is always calling them, but to walk through the gate, one must want to be found. Our Christian duty is to help others hear the Shepherd’s loving voice.
At Good Shepherd, Rosemont, in keeping with the spirit of the One for whom our parish is named, I pray that we can keep the gate for the sheep wide open. It’s not our job to be gatekeepers; only Jesus is the Gatekeeper. May we never forget what the voice of the Good Shepherd sounds like, and may we always strive for the selfless love that he models in his goodness.
This Sunday, Good Shepherd Sunday, we celebrate our Feast of Title. I hope to see you walking through the Tower doors, under the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Come to morning Mass and give thanks for being led by his voice to this parish and into the greater sheepfold of God. Then return for Choral Evensong and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 3 p.m. Let’s celebrate the flourishing of this parish once again under the guidance of the One who never fails to lead us and stay with us even when the wolfs come. May Christ the Good Shepherd lead us and guide us home into the loving arms of God, who calls us each by name.
Yours in Christ,
Father Kyle