I'm still working my way through the book of Isaiah in these early days of Christmas. I love the faithful prophets who suffered so much to bring the truth to Israel. They suffered abuse, persecution, and murder; but they never flinched.
The prophet Isaiah has a warning for the shepherds of our days [Isaiah 56], which Stephen reminded us on the 26th when when he became the first martyr. The Jewish leaders reacted in rage when he minded them of their hard hearts and condemned the murder of the prophets which they imitate as they stone him to death. The prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel echo Isaiah later with their woes to the false shepherds. [Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34]
When I read these lines from Isaiah, I thought of so many of our own shepherds -- abusive spiritual fathers who, instead of leading us to salvation, give us examples of evil:
His watchmen are blind,
All of them know nothing.
All of them are mute dogs unable to bark,
Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber;
11And the dogs are [e]greedy, they [f]are never satisfied.
And they are shepherds who have no understanding;
They have all turned to their own way,
Each one to his unjust gain, [g]without exception.
12“Come,” they say, “[h]let’s get wine, and let’s drink heavily of intoxicating drink;
And tomorrow will be like today, only more so.”
Who among our current pathetic bench of American bishops comes to mind when you read these lines? I won't name anyone specific, but I have a long list of cardinals, bishops, and priests who I could name. And of course, the list goes on and on when one examines all the clerics of Holy Mother Church. She is a battered bride indeed.
The priest who witnessed our marriage said the laity always bring the Church back where she belongs. Fulton Sheen said that as well. We have a role to play in saving the Church. Let us never tire of doing good and praying for many holy priests to become a new generation rescuing us from the current crop of false shepherds. And let us never fear to speak the truth in love even to those in power.
Jesus, Lord of the harvest, send us many holy priests. And give us the courage and perseverance to remain faithful to the gospel until our last breath!
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