Fourth Monday of Easter (John 10:11-18) “Jesus Didn’t Look Nice”
Fourth Monday of Easter (John 10:11-18) “Jesus Didn’t Look Nice”
Jesus was very critical of the clergy of his day. We see him critiquing the Scribes and Pharisees again and again. He was upset at them because they liked to be treated with deference simply because of their education and position. They used religion to elevate themselves.
He takes a subtle swipe at the professional religious in the Gospel we read today. He compares them to the shepherd that works for pay. When the wolf comes that shepherd runs away. If the shepherd really is committed to the sheep, they stay and fight.
Sometimes we think that clericalism refers only to the clergy, but the term has a broader meaning. Anybody who has a good education, a professional degree or who holds a position of power can be guilty of clericalism. Doctors, lawyers, mayors, presidents of organizations and a host of other people can have the attitude Jesus objects to. If we think that our position entitles us to deference, then we are being clerical. The greatest respect is the respect we earn because of our deeds.
I remember the mayor of our small city coming into a store I worked in. He had to wait in line while other others were served. After that, he did not get the product that he asked for. His temper grew short and he said, “Don’t you know who I am? I am the mayor?” It was obvious that he thought he was entitled.
Priests are often treated with great esteem. At other times we are dismissed as irrelevant when people find out our occupation. Priests needn’t get too full of themselves. We also must remember that slights and insults can come with being an agent for Jesus Christ.
I remember a priest friend who was very self-deprecating. He would wear secondhand clothes. He drove a small car. He cooked simple meals for himself. If you saw him on the street you would think he might have been a hobo. We were talking one day, and I asked him why he did not dress better. I knew he was a cultured man and he had good taste. He said simply, “Mark, priests look too nice.” Perhaps my friend was thinking of the dirty carpenter from Nazareth who probably owned one or two sets of clothes and was dismissed as being ill-educated and of no account. In the end he turned out to be the most influential person in the history of the world.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have we ever known anyone in our life who was clerical? How did we feel about that person?
2. What type of leadership model did Jesus adhere to? Was he a servant leader? Have I run into this type of leader in my life? In the end what is important having power or integrity?
Dear Parishioners,
You might wonder why we are in a temporary chapel for our live streaming Mass. There are a variety of reasons. One reason is that our church is having a lot of repairs as we are waiting to resume public worship. We are continuing the restoration of the windows and we are working on our lighting. Much of the lighting is antiquated so we are putting is some new lights and we are starting to install LED lights. In the end, we will save on our energy bill and things will be much brighter.
I include pictures today which show various parts of the work. Once picture gives a full view of the front of the church which is covered in plastic. Another picture shows the Visitation Window which has been restored. The next picture shows how the Nativity window has been removed. Finally, there is a picture of the stained-glass window showing Jesus walking on the water. This is one of the small windows. All the smaller windows are now back in the church. The artisans should be leaving this week. Hopefully, they will only have to come back one more time to complete the window project.
May the Blessed Mother and all the angels and saints watch over us today.
Fr. Mark