Monday, April 4, 2016

Shepherd Leader


Before the Risen Christ singles out Peter to shepherd his sheep (John 21:15-17) he asks three times if Peter loves him.  Leadership among Christ's followers is based on love. It is to be, not juridical, but pastoral.  The Latin word for "shepherd" is "pastor."  I couldn't help but think of Pope Francis' telling us we must smell like the sheep.  His is a good example of the kind of leadership that Jesus assigns to Peter.
Notice, too, that while Jesus trusts Peter to care for the sheep, Jesus doesn't give him the sheep. He says, "Shepherd my sheep."
(Saturday's glowing forsythia was surrounded by five inches of snow yesterday morning!)

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