Because my shepherds did not look after my sheep, but pastured themselves and did not pasture my sheep; because of this, shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD: I swear I am coming against these shepherds. I will claim my sheep from them and put a stop to their shepherding my sheep so that they may no longer pasture themselves. I will save my sheep, that they may no longer be food for their mouths. For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. (Ezekiel 34:8-11)
A lot of so-called Catholic folks have criticized Pope Francis when he talked about “clericalism” and said that shepherds should smell like the flock. But Pope Francis didn’t come up with this all by himself. The prophet Ezekiel was way ahead of him . . . by more than 2,000 years!
