THE HOMILY
Our visiting pastor Fr. Bill gave a most beautiful homily today about the Good Shepherd. He told us that he did some research recently on shepherds and came across this tidbit. A shepherd would break the legs of a stubborn sheep who wander of persistently. Once done he did not leave the wounded animal, but instead would carry the sheep on his shoulders until it was healthy to be back moving around with flock. Fr. Bill said at the time of Jesus' teaching that most people would be familiar with this information as there were many who labored in the fields caring for the animals.
THE TAKEAWAY
I found this particular insightful as many people struggle with addiction of many sorts or become over dependent on someone in an unhealthy manner. When the drug of choice, the work, the game, or the individual is removed, the person becomes paralyzed and lame in a sense. God has taken away the legs or leg so that person can no longer stand or become dependent on themselves and their unhealthy behavior. The person may feel empty, weak, and vulnerable. It is at this point with God's infinite grace that he hoists us up on his ever-so-powerful shoulders and carries us (see the Footprints in the Sand poem below).
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."
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