Links for today’s readings:
May 28 Read: Zechariah 10 Listen: (2:11) Read: Luke 19 Listen: (5:29)
Scripture Focus: Zechariah 10.2-3
2 The idols speak deceitfully,
diviners see visions that lie;
they tell dreams that are false,
they give comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep
oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
3 “My anger burns against the shepherds,
and I will punish the leaders;
for the Lord Almighty will care
for his flock, the people of Judah,
and make them like a proud horse in battle.
Reflection: Ruinous Shepherds
By John Tillman
Most of us don’t understand leaving flocks of sheep in another’s care. But most of us have had pets.
Imagine trusting a friend to pet-sit your dog while you’re on a long trip. Before you left, the dog was house trained and well disciplined, rarely damaging furniture and never biting or harming anyone.
When you return, you find your friend spent the whole time drunk, abandoning the discipline and order put in place for the dog. The furniture is chewed and stuffing from sofas and other items is scattered through the house. The dog was not let out at proper times and there is feces and urine in the house and stains from previous incidents. The dog was not fed proper food at proper times and has become food aggressive, jumping on anyone holding food and biting or attempting to bite guests.
Your home and dog are in chaos because of the person charged with caring for the dog. You will be angry at the dog for its new behaviors, but your deepest anger will be toward your friend.
Retraining the dog will be unpleasant and difficult for both you and the dog. The dog, if it could speak, would probably call the retraining program harsh or cruel, even though it is for the dog’s benefit.
As difficult as it will be to retrain your dog, it might be more difficult to repair your relationship with your friend. They ruined your dog! They not only harmed the dog but made the dog dangerous to others.
This is the type of anger God has for “shepherds” of his people who misuse, abuse, or abandon their responsibilities. This behavior is especially egregious when motivated by the pursuit of pleasure, power, or wealth. We can be made dangerous to others by abusive shepherds. All, like sheep, stray. But when leaders drive flocks to error, God is especially angry and will harshly punish those responsible.
We, however, are more responsible for our own behavior than sheep or dogs. We can’t blame all our sins on leaders. When we follow ruinous and foolish shepherds, support them, endorse them, and become like them, we join ourselves to them and the consequences God will bring on them.
Rejoice when bad leaders are called to account. But don’t forget that we also are responsible and must submit to “retraining” through repentance.
Woe to ruinous shepherds and those who follow them.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
He looks at the earth and it trembles; he touches the mountains and they smoke. — Psalm 104.33
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle
Read more: Until I Come Back
Christ’s followers have been given opportunities to know him, resources to cultivate for him, and needy people to serve for him.
Read more: Bad Shepherds
Pointing a finger and blaming “false shepherds” is common in American Christianity. How do we know who is telling the truth?
