Disciple, Shepherd, Steward
/
15th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Disciple, Shepherd, Steward
Having completed my first full week at St. Francis de Sales, including a weekend, I am grateful for the warm welcome and hospitality, and I am elated to be a part of your parish. From my conversations and encounters with people, it is clear to me that there is a strong sense of community here. Last week, I spoke of walking together; it has already become evident to me that you are disciples of Christ who walk together with each other. I have witnessed this from the incredible synergy and spirit of collaboration among the staff, I have witnessed this from the dedicated liturgical ministers who ensure that we can all belong, believe and become here in our spiritual home, I have witnessed this from those who serve in the food pantry ministry; I have witnessed this from our committed Ministers of Care, leaving church after Daily Mass to bring Holy Communion to those who cannot join the worshipping community in-person, and I have witnessed this from the assembly in the celebration of Eucharist – as you walk together with each other in worship, exercising your common priesthood, uniting the story and substance of your lives to the one sacrifice of Christ on the Cross for the salvation of the world.
As I have been spending time praying about my new role as pastor of a parish, a thought comes to mind: disciple, shepherd and steward. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, an important model of priesthood entails these three categories, and they each speak to the three-fold duty of the priest. As a Disciple, I am entrusted with providing spiritual vision and ensuring that we stay grounded on the Mission. In the words of the Risen Lord Jesus: to go and make disciples (cf. Matthew 28:19). As a Shepherd, I am entrusted with teaching and preaching the Gospel and providing pastoral care. And as a Steward, I am entrusted with the great gift which is the holy People of God – to help you to “shine like lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15b) as I celebrate the Sacraments and ensure the life of grace.
The Priest as disciple, shepherd and steward is the one who walks together with the people – praying, listening and discerning so that true co-responsibility can occur. Remember a moment ago I spoke of the common priesthood: this is the priesthood of the Baptized! And therein is the reality that every single member of the Body of Christ is co-responsible for the Mission of Christ. Simply put, co-responsibility means that every baptized member of the Body has a unique call or vocation, ministry and lifestyle that enables her to participate in mission and evangelization – building up the Body of Christ and proclaiming the Gospel.
The ministerial priesthood – that of the ordained – is called to be at the service of the common priesthood. And I couldn’t be more excited than to do that here at St. Francis de Sales. As I mentioned in my weekend homily, always remember that you have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in you, you are a beloved child of God, and God loves you – never let anyone tell you otherwise. Because of that truth, you are being equipped and enabled daily by Christ to also be disciples, shepherds and stewards of the faith, “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1b). While the priest consecrates the Eucharist, You consecrate the world!
Wishing you God’s peace and everything good, I remain –
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Christian Shiu
Administrator