Good Shepherd and the shepherds of the Church in Sermo 46 of St. Augustine

Abstract

Sermo 46 of St. Augustine’s, offered for meditation in the 24th and 25th week of the Liturgy of the Hours, is entitled De pastoribus. The scriptural basis is constituted by the reading of Ez 34 : 1–16 where the prophet criticizes the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves and not their sheep, and announced the Lord’s promise to feed his people himself. Augustine, by using an actualizing, allegorical exegesis, develops his homily to describe a true Christian shepherd distinct from a mercenary. The latter only searches for his own interest and honour, symbolized by the sheep’s milk and wool. His selfish attitude causes damage: the strong sheep become weak, then sick and in the end are lost. For Augustine the scattering of the sheep signifies approaching heretic and schismatic groups. The bishop of Hippo disputes especially with the donatists. He emphasizes that Christ is the foundation of our salvation, the only Good Shepherd whose sheepfold is the Catholic Church throughout the world. The shepherds are good when they belong to that sheepfold, and following Christ they accomplish their mission to feed the sheep. The meaning of priesthood is indeed to serve God’s people by proclaiming the Word, distributing the Sacraments and promoting unity. The priest accomplishes Christ’s work and not his own. Therefore his responsibility is immense, since it deals with the eternal life to which God will welcome all those who faithfully served him.