May 2011
Wauwatosa, WI
"One of today's readings reminds of the fact of how much Christ 'emptied' Himself to become one of us (Phil. 2). One way that Jesus chose to explain this fact of life to us is through the image of the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd knows and loves his sheep individually and they know him and follow his voice. He protects his sheep from wolves and from thieves, guides them through dangerous places, and leads them to restful waters and verdant pastures. He lives and sleeps and eats with them, and even lays down his life for them.
"Is our life as Catholics meant to be a burden or a blessing? Do we live a happy life assured of God’s love and grace, or do we live an anxious life trying (in vain?) to earn His love and His grace? Jesus says that He has come that we might have a share in His Divine Life even now, and that we might have it abundantly (Jo 10:10). Yes, even now we can relax in the security of our salvation. For, as today’s second reading tells us, “He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness” (I Pet 2:24). To “live for righteousness” means to live a Spirit-filled life of holiness as Jesus did. We have died with Christ and we have risen with Him (cf. Rom 6:5-11), so that now “Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20). We can no longer boast in our own moral achievements for God has made Christ our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification and our redemption (cf. I Cor 1:29-31).
"We can see our salvation and holiness in Christ in two ways: as already fully ours, and as not yet fully ours. I daresay that most Catholics see their union with God and their salvation as “not yet”, as something they strive for and hope for but which they will not realize or receive for sure until after they die and go to God. There is of course some truth to that. But we Catholics need to strengthen our grasp on the “already” of our life in God. If, for instance, an evangelical Christian asks us “Have you been saved?”, our immediate response should be “Yes! Thanks be to God!.” Jesus has saved me and my “life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). I have an “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for me” (I Pet 1:4)! But many Catholics will not be that spiritually bold and confident. It’s true that we can only hope for eternal salvation and that none of us know for sure if we will go to heaven rather than to hell. But any doubt about my final destiny has to do with the possibility that I may still turn my back on God and His will. It has nothing to do with God’s gift of Himself in Christ which is always offered to me if only I will receive it.
"Our assignment as Catholics is to carefully read and ponder each of the bible readings cited above and to thank God that these are gifts are already mine, not just promised. The Good Shepherd takes every care of his sheep whom He knows by name, just as a father or mother dedicates all their love and effort to caring for their child. The loved child is carefree and happy because he or she knows he is loved, protected, delighted in, provided for, guided and accompanied, and that “only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life” (Ps 23:6). Our loving God wants each of us to live without doubts and anxieties about His love or about the “dark valleys” and trials of life. “In all these things we conquer overwhelmingly” (Rom 8:37) because our Father “makes all things work together unto good” (Rom 8:37) for us who trust His shepherding. The truth is that, as we draw closer to God, our 'already' is greater than our 'not yet.'"
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