Farmers who rear sheep and goats have often observed the reaction of these animals when they are let out of their pens after being shut in for a day or two. They run and jump in an expression of total glee.

The open gate presents new possibilities of feeding for them. They move from what they are accustomed to eat, to new and different types of feed. In a very true way, these animals live to the fullest when they are led out of the gates into the open fields where new possibilities await them.

If this is true of sheep and goats, it is so much truer of human beings. With the fall of communism in Russia, a gate was opened and a whole range of new possibilities became apparent, both for people on the outside and those on the inside.

For both those on the outside and on the inside, it meant that the possibilities of new relationships arose and with these new relationships the possibilities of development in new and exciting ways were present. For all it meant that the gate to a new and exciting future was opened.  Gates when closed sooner or later create a future of stagnation. Open gates can lead us to a dynamic future.

The gospel passage given to us for our meditation this weekend speaks to us about leaders who can be trusted because they come through the open gate. They have nothing to hide.

There are no ulterior motives in their actions. There are others though who cannot be trusted. They come hiding their motives and like thieves, their motives are simply their own personal interests.

True leaders are leaders who open up new possibilities for us and these possibilities lead to a dynamic future and according to the Gospel reading allow us to “have life and have it more abundantly.”

Last week, the gospel reading presented us with the story of two disciples whose hearts burned within them when Jesus presented them with the vision of a dynamic future as he explained the scripture to them.

Things that are dead do not make our hearts burn within us. What makes our hearts burn within us is the possibility of new patterns of relationship which ennoble and uplift the human spirit. Jesus represented for us the true leader whose disciples would follow him even to death because of the new possibilities.

When they thought that Jesus was only giving them the possibility of an earthly freedom from Roman domination, they did not follow him, in fact they ran away. When Jesus gave them the new possibilities, they followed him even to death.

All of us are called to be shepherds in one way or another, in our homes, in our classrooms, in our places of work, in our neighbourhoods and in our ecclesial communities. As stated above true shepherds open up new possibilities for those who follow.

What are the possibilities which we present to those who follow? Are they possibilities which lead to a dynamic future that will bring about life in abundance or do we lead people to futures which can only lead to stagnation?

Unfortunately we live in a world in which the prevailing culture emphasises the material –  big buildings, money, comfort and status. These things ultimately lead to boredom and stagnation. How many of the rich and powerful in this world are truly decadent and spend their time on the couches of psychiatrists?

In spite of the abundance of wealth and of notoriety they have not found life in abundance and the happiness which this brings. We have however, the examples of those whose vision for the world has made the hearts of their followers burn within them so that they accepted great suffering for the sake of the vision.

The lives of Mother Teresa, of Martin Luther King Jr, of Msgr Oscar Romero and of countless others like them bear eloquent testimony to the truth that the vision of a future of transformed relationships can move persons to live heroic lives and ennobles and uplifts the human spirit.

As we contemplate this Gospel passage, we ask for the wisdom to understand that leadership always demands of us the presenting of possibilities which have the power to ennoble and uplift the human spirit.

Prayer

All powerful and ever-loving God, we live in an age in which there is a dearth of true leaders. We pray today, Father, that you raise up true leaders amongst us. Leaders with the vision to present new possibilities, possibilities which have the power to move us to new patterns of relating and which ennoble and uplift the human spirit. We ask this through the intercession of Mary our Mother and your Son, Jesus, the Good Shepherd par excellence. Amen.

Gospel Meditations for April are by Fr Joseph Harris CSSp. A former rector of the Regional Seminary, Fr Harris is parish priest of St Ann’s and the Archdiocesan Judicial Vicar.