Shepherd’s Voice

Today’s Gospel Text: And Jesus went on with his disciples, to the villages of Caesare'a Philip'pi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" 28 And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Eli'jah; and others one of the prophets." 29 And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." 30 And he charged them to tell no one about him. 31 And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men." 34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. Mark 8:27-35

Reflection: Leaders have a great responsibility towards their people and hence not all should choose to be leaders; for God will require of them an answer for what they have done.

They have a responsibility of caring for those under them and deal with them at least justly, if not in charity while dealing with disputes and other matters.

Those in leadership, as shepherds, have a still greater responsibility, feeding the flocks with pure bread and not contaminated personal opinions and doctrines of men.

They are constantly called to discern the ways of God, asking themselves constantly the question that Jesus asked Peter, the leader of his band of dedicated disciples; "Who do men say that I am?"

For in answering this question one realizes that if Jesus is indeed the Christ, then he is the one who is to be listened to and proclaimed and not what one feels as right or what some so called experts feel as right.

On the other hand we find the true meaning of leadership in God’s sight: Jesus who has put forth this question to his dedicated disciples and now expecting an answer, is quite satisfied with the answer and looks at the answer as one coming from all the disciples, even though it was only Peter who spoke.

In other words, Peter’s statement is considered by Jesus as coming from the mouth of the disciples; for immediately after Peter’s statement the scripture reveals that “he charged them to tell no one about him.” (vs. 30) (them, and not just Peter who alone had made the confession)

In other words, If Peter has spoken about the doctrine of Christ means the disciples have spoken!

On the other hand when Peter begins to remonstrate Jesus in not going to Jerusalem, then he is rebuked by the Lord severely; him and him alone as speaking the voice of Satan.

In other words, If Peter has spoken falsely means Satan has spoken!

Prayer: Lord, we pray for our Shepherds, that they may always seek to discern your voice and speak that which comes from you.

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