I need some kids to come up and help me with the homily. [I invite kids to hold the large rope which creates a loop/fence around me]. Ok, pretend I am a sheep [I put on a sheep hat]. Kids, you are creating a fence that keeps me in. In the gospel Jesus talks about sheep. Today, sheep are enclosed with fences around them so that they cannot get out [I pretend trying to escape the rope enclosure] The rope holds me in, it protects me. It keeps me from wandering off and keeps predators from entering in and attacking me. [I invite to be wolves and threaten me.]
Back in the days of Jesus, fences weren’t used for sheep. [I tell the kids to drop the rope]. Instead, the sheep grazed and wandered wherever. And the shepherd acted as the fence [I give one kid a shepherd’s staff] to prevent the sheep from wandering off and to protect the sheep from attackers, like wolves. [Kids return to the pews].
In the gospel, Jesus calls himself the good shepherd. That is, he is there to create the fence or boundary around us. Other shepherds run away as soon as danger sneaks up (like a wolf) but not Jesus, he keeps us safe. How? By establishing a boundary for us.
Now, today is World Day of Prayer for Vocations. It’s a time for all of us to pray for vocations. Yes, of course, vocations for the priesthood, for those in religious communities like sisters or brothers, for Deacons (like Deacon Mark) but also a day to pray for the vocation that ALL of us are called to.
You see, by your baptism you have a vocation. And all through the Easter Season we focus on baptism with the sprinkling rite and the special Creed. It’s a vocation to which God has called you. For some of you that vocation is marriage. For some we add an additional vocation of being a parent. For some it is the vocation of the single lifestyle (including you divorced people and you widows and widowers). We all have a calling. We all have a vocation.
An important aspect is to have boundaries with your vocation. That is, to know what is appropriate and what is not. Today those boundaries are less obvious or clear [I hold up and drop a part of the rope fence]. But once you understand the boundary, it makes your life easier and safer. Not only to protect you from the “wolves” out there but to give you depth within the parameters.
For example, if there were no rules /boundaries on a basketball court, we’d get mayhem and wildness where anything goes. Even street ball has some rules/boundaries. When you know the rules [hold my hands out horizontally] you can have better game [hold my hands out vertically].
For example, within priesthood, we have a boundary of being celibate. This can be looked at as a burden or a grace. I see it as a grace, for knowing what’s appropriate [hold hands out vertically] it gives me the invitation to find depth [hold hands horizontally].
So, within your vocation . . . how’s it going with your boundaries? How does your vocation as a married person, or as a single person, or as a celibate call you to find depth? Just because you can get away with something, doesn’t mean it’s OK. Just because nobody can find out, doesn’t make it appropriate.
That’s why a connection with Jesus is so important. Jesus becomes your fence, your boundary, the one who wants to keep you safe . . . like a shepherd. If you were to have a conversation with Jesus (which I hope you will) discuss how you like to wander off (like a sheep without a fence). Talk with Jesus about what he wants you to change, improve upon, to stop doing. or to stop pushing the boundaries with? What will Jeus tell you?
Think of Jesus as a shepherd with the emphasis on being a GOOD shepherd. [I hold out the shepherd’s staff] He’s trying to help you, not shame you. He’s guiding you . . . out of love, to protect you and keep you safe. Will you let him?