Whenever people want to make a disparaging comment about a group of people whom they do not like, sometimes they use the term “sheeple” which conflates the two words “sheep” and “people.” It basically means that this group is a bunch of non-thinking, group-following people who are like lemmings doing what they want without following logic or common sense. Yet, Jesus calls his followers “sheep” and invites them to follow the shepherd.
A good sheep will heed the voice of the shepherd and follow his or her lead. But sometimes sheep have a mind of their own and wander off, ignoring the calls of the shepherd. In some cases, the sheep who do this get into trouble and then the shepherd needs to go and rescue them.
As Catholic Christians, we need to challenge ourselves each and every day to listen to the Good Shepherd. We should examine how faithful we have been to the Shepherd’s call. Are we good sheep or do we do things which are contrary to the Divine Plan of the Good Shepherd? Psalm 23 reminds us that the Lord is our shepherd, not some politician or manager or entertainer. It is the Lord who will guide us on the right path and lead us to our heavenly destiny.
This week ask yourself, “Have I been a good and faithful sheep who hears the voice of the Good Shepherd and follows wherever God will lead me?” Or “Am I one of the sheeple who follow the crowd and ignore God in my life?” The choice is ours: we can follow the Lord or we can choose to follow the way of the world. One path leads to life eternal; the other to perdition.
