I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently. (Jer 3:15)
Shepherds after God’s heart! What a promise from God: to have wise and prudent shepherds. We keep praying for them! I remember the conclave that elected Pope Francis . . . the Vatican television narrator was giving a very highfalutin description of the cardinals entering the conclave in the Sistine Chapel for the papal election. Unfortunately, the narrator didn’t tell the whole story of why the cardinals are locked in. The reason was that during the middle ages the cardinals took their time in holding a papal election. The cardinals were enjoying the great food and the fine wine, as well as the serving girls and the serving boys, and the election dragged on for almost three years! The people got tired of footing the bill and decided to force the issue: they locked the cardinals in the hall and cut off the food and the wine and the serving girls and the serving boys. Finally, the cardinals got down to business and elected a pope. And that’s why we have a conclave (cum clave [Latin], con llave [Spanish]—with a key). And that’s why we still hope and pray that we will have shepherds after the heart of God!
