Jesus declares: "So there will be one flock, one shepherd." (Jn 10: 16) In the secular world this is threatening. In a relativistic environment any talk of "oneness" is perceived as a menace to the freedom of others. Likewise, St Paul says: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." (Eph 4: 4-6) Yet, it is only in Christ and joined to him that we can know the true freedom to be ourselves. The totalitarian relativism that suppresses difference to allow for "diversity" hides a will to power of elites who mask their control of society through the promotion of minorities who are dependent on them. These are used as a vehicle for instituting a new norm that proscribes what was previously regarded as "normal." Paradoxically, as it was with the Roman Empire, you can worship any God as long as you worship Caesar (the dollar) above all. In this world one can can't acknowledge any religion because that would be an affront to those who have no religion. One can't have an ordained priesthood because that would be an insult to those who are not ordained. Paul tells us: "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues." (1 Cor 12: 27-28) All of these complement each other and find their beginning and end in love which abides as the greatest of God's gifts (See 1 Cor 13: 13). On Good Shepherd Sunday let us sincerely pray for shepherds to help the one Good Shepherd in leading, ministering to and sanctifying the one flock.
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