False Shepherds (16th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

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Most of the prophet Jeremiah’s indictments against the people of Judah were directed towards the leadership–the king, the priests, and the self-styled prophets who only spoke what pleased the king’s ears, rather than what God truly wanted them to say. They were largely responsible for leading the people into sin through their bad example, as well as their neglect of the Law and of proper worship. They are said to have caused the scattering of God’s flock through their neglect. Because of this, God was especially wroth with them, and they received the brunt of the coming punishment.

This highlights a principle that appears throughout the Bible, that those who are in positions of authority and influence are held to a higher standard, since they are responsible not only for their own spiritual lives, but those of others as well. St. James, for example gives this warning: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1) Similarly, Jesus upbraids Nicodemus for his lack of understanding by telling him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?” (John 3:10) This principle is as valid now as it ever was. When we see those in positions of church leadership misuse their authority, we know that God will punish them severely for this. He will not allow the abuse of the offices He has established to stand for long, but will establish justice and piety.

Finally, the passage ends on a positive note by stating that after removing the neglectful shepherds, God will regather His people and give them new shepherds who will care for them. He then promises to send them the Messiah. We who live under the New Covenant can take comfort in the fact that Messiah has already come to us, and no matter what our church leaders do, He will never leave nor forsake us, but has promised to be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5).

J. Luis Dizon