ALL SHEPHERDS ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD (HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 20TH WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME
Theme: All shepherds must give an account to God Homily for Wednesday of the 16th week in the ordinary time Ezekiel 34:1-11; Matthew 20:1-16 The term Shepherd is a very prevalent concept among the Jews. Prominent figures in the history of Israel were shepherds: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David etc even kings and religious leaders were described as shepherds of the people. Hence, the shepherds as representatives of God, among many duties are saddled with the responsibility of nurturing, caring, protecting and providing for the sheep. However, in the first reading from the book of prophet Ezekiel, God lamented over the irresponsible attitude of the shepherds towards the sheep entrusted to their care. Rather than seek the well-being and interest of the sheep, the shepherd had become selfish and individualistic. Thus, says the Lord God: you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not the shepherd feed the sheep? (Ezekiel 34:1-3). God, through the prophet Ezekiel, ac...