Today is traditionally “Good Shepherd Sunday”.

Last Sunday’s gospel was about difficulties in believing, as exemplified by the “doubting” apostle, Saint Thomas.

This Sunday’s theme is how those who do believe are completely dependent on God.

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Today’s gospel reading:

“Jesus said, ‘I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd, and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine, and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.’” (St John’s Gospel, chapter 10)

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Sheep tended by shepherds in Bible times – and flocks droved by drovers today – nothing has changed.

Sheep are notoriously stupid. They don’t know where to go. They follow each other into danger . . . .

They are only safe if they go where the shepherd guides them. Sheep wandering off on their own are liable soon to be dead sheep.

We are like that. Our only hope is to be totally obedient to God, our Shepherd.

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That’s why Mary MacKillop was so great.

She gave her life generously in obedience to God and his Church. Obedient herself, she demanded obedience from the Sisters in her Order.

Those who label her a “rebel” are calling a good person evil.

Don’t do that.

When the enemies of Christ accused him of being in league with the devil, he warned that such talk is a sin God will never forgive. (St Mark’s Gospel, chapter 3)

Those who today teach “religious freedom”, encouraging others to wander away from Catholic tradition – can they expect God to forgive them?

They are in strife, no matter whether they are celebrities, or members of the Church hierarchy, or whoever they are.