Today’s readings start with a severe calling to those so-called shepherds who only lead people astray.  There are so many “shepherds” who are only in it for themselves.  They don’t care about God’s flock. They only care to advance in what Pope Francis calls “careerism.”  Some others have a bad attitude as if they are unhappy with their lives, and still others are involved in evil deeds.  They scandalize the flock and those who are on the edge are toppled over.  Many people are just waiting for one more reason to leave the church, and many shepherds provide it with their bad actions.  They will be punished.  They will be asked for an account.  It is very important to remember, it is not their flock, they are only tending for the Good Shepherd.  There are shepherds whose title is too big for them, they are more like hired servants who don’t care for the sheep, and once a crisis happens, they desert the flock.  May God give the Church true shepherds after His Own Heart.  The readings then proceed to show us how people entrusted by God to be shepherds in His name ought to behave, and the qualities they ought to aspire.  A true shepherd will find the missing ones, do outreach for those who are no longer coming. It pains a true shepherd to lose even one person, even one family.  Looking at the pews and seeing so many empty places, it is a concern for a person that has the heart of the shepherd.  A true shepherd is also one who governs wisely.  This person is not carried away by power and does not care to be made someone in the diocese or is striving to become a monsignor or even a bishop.  But one who just works for the flock, whether acknowledged or not.   A true shepherd is one also who does what is right for his people.  Sometimes this is not readily seen, and there is much criticism.  A true shepherd is always willing to give an explanation in a logical manner for those who ask gently for a reason of why things are happening in such a way.  A true shepherd is one who wants security for this flock.  This security is both spiritual but also physical.  The shepherd after the heart of Jesus is one who cares that the flock is praying and ever growing closer to God, through spiritual helps including retreats.  In a physical way, the true shepherd cares for all to be safe, and no one is put at risk.  When safe environment is being followed and respected, this is a way to care for the flock physically.   The list continues.  A true shepherd is one who also fosters justice in the community.  This means all are children of God.  This means equality.  This means respecting the cultural traditions of those within flock.  This means integration.   The true shepherd seeks to create one Body of Christ, while acknowledging there are different members of this Body.    A true shepherd seeks to promote peace and end the enmity that exists among members.  This means reconciling warring factions. The true shepherd is the first to take the initiative to end the division and establish peace through prayer.  The basics of a true shepherd (versus a phony one) is to do what is fundamental to the faith: celebrate the sacraments worthily and preach with power and conviction.  Unfortunately, some cannot even do that.  There are so many liturgical abuses in the sacraments, and some preach way too long.  A person who talks for close to an hour is not really preaching and is offending the flock. Going beyond the liturgical, a true shepherd is one who teaches, like Jesus who saw the vast crowd and moved with pity for them began to teach them many things.  Formation classes is a way to show love for the flock.  And finally (though the list is not exhaustive), a true shepherd is one who recognizes that is necessary to retreat to a deserted place, to recharge, to connect with God in prayer.  A true shepherd will take the time to pray for himself (not in a selfish way) and will pray for the flock.  The Lord recognizes it is important to “come away and rest a while.”  It is good for the true shepherd to have a day of rest, to take his time off, to be replenished to continue to the mission of shepherding God’s people with a renewed spirit.  In the end, pray for your shepherds, instead of criticizing them.  Pray for them for being a true shepherd after the heart of Jesus is not easy.  Pray for them so they can acquire all these good qualities in their lives.  Pray so to find in them one good quality to be thankful for.  Pray for your local pastor.  Remember with your prayers, you can make your pastor a better one, true to the calling received by God.