Pope Francis likes using the image of Christians needing to be Shepherds who smell like the sheep. He used that same image again on Easter Sunday in his Urbi et Orbi blessing. The Urbi et Orbi blessing is the traditional one given by the Pope every Easter. Traditionally, the Pope’s comments given with the Blessing have served as a sort of State of the World message. It is used to outline what the Pope will be concentrating on for the next year. Pope Francis has emphasized that again in the coming year he will concentrate on reaching out to those, “on the outskirts of society”. He will be concentrating his efforts on refugees, victims of economic injustice and those caught up in human trafficking.
In his address Pope Francis spoke of the “Risen Shepherd” who in mercy tirelessly seeks out those who are hurting. Francis said that Jesus the Risen Shepherd seeks out those who are crushed by evil. He specifically spoke of people “lost in the labyrinths of loneliness and marginalization.” He mentioned those who are injured by modern economic systems and those ensnared by the illegal industries of human slavery and drug trafficking.
Francis said the “Risen Shepherd” walks beside those forced to leave their homes because of armed conflict, terrorist attacks, famine, and oppressive regimes. He asked the Risen Lord to guide the steps of all those who work for peace and justice. Francis has more than once compared the many smaller conflicts around the world as adding up to one large one he calls World War III. He made special mention of these many conflict zones throughout the world. He included Syria, South Sudan, Congo and the Ukraine as special areas of concern.
Pope Francis said that he was most concerned about refugees that are in peril trying to escape from Syria and northern Africa. Francis’ call for all Christians to be Shepherds who smell like the sheep is especially significant because many European Countries are struggling with their response to the largest refugee crisis since the end of the 2nd World War. It has become a contentious issue in many countries. It is especially and issues in the upcoming French Presidential Election. The tiny Vatican State has taken in 80 families both Christian and Moslem who are trying to escape from the Civil War in Syria and Iraqi.
Francis’ call to us as American Catholics to not be afraid to smell like the sheep is particularly critical. The 2016 Election Campaign and the policies of the trump Administration have been particularly hostile to efforts of our country doing our share to help elevate the suffering that Pope Francis addressed in his blessing. Our American bishops have been especially vocal about the need for our country to do its part to help alleviate the refugee problems around the world. We must not hide behind walls but mix in with the flock of the Risen Shepherd and like Jesus not be afraid to smell like the suffering sheep of the flock.