Monday, September 17, 2012

The Gospel of Nice ...

Jesus shared with his disciples, "I am the Nice Shepherd. I never say no to my sheep. They love me and I love them and I do anything they want. When the wolf comes I smile and say hello and welcome him into the flock because my flock is inclusive and welcoming.

Other shepherds are not nice. They are divisive and bullying. They have rules for the sheep. They do not accept the wolf and do not let the sheep play with him. I am the Nice Shepherd. I lay down for the sheep and the wolf. They love me lots and call me by my first name.

We love ourselves and we form community. We do not like those other sheep who are not inclusive and will not play with the wolf. We do not have them in our flock. We call them names and show them they are unwelcome because they are not welcoming like us."

14 comments:

  1. Oh CLASSIC! So clever, so funny, so good! I love it! Even the beginning - Jesus SHARED with his disciples...!
    A welcoming and inclusive flock - classic! Don't judge the wolf, just welcome him. Don't welcome the other sheep.
    I lay down for the sheep and the wolf...! wonderful! We love ourselves! I am a nice shepherd because they call me by my first name! yes!
    What a clever little play! Well done!

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  2. Brilliant, brilliant!
    Everyone read this please and how clever you are Fr, in how you put this...
    And, "Gospel of Nice", I love it!

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  3. Did they split up and have "small group discussion?"

    I cringe whenever I hear someone say "shaaaaare." To "share" means you are going to give me a piece or part of something. If you don't want to give me the whole thing - don't bother. And.............don't expect me to give it back.

    You are wicked, Father. So glad I found you and "shaaaaaaaaaared" you with the blogoshere. Except wisdom and goodness always finds its way out. I really wanted to keep you all to myself. It was like finding the pearl of great value.

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  4. I'm glad that Adrienne shared your blog, also. Although now I'm mad that I don't have the whole thing for myself because I must be only getting a bit since Adrienne is sharing it with us all. That means she has the whole thing!

    (Sorry Adrienne, couldn't resist...you know I love you!)

    Anyway, well said...I love the pic, and I should see if I can email you one I have on my computer that I found some time ago...you'll love it.

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  5. Father, your blog never disappoints!

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  6. If I didn't know any better, this sounds like it was inspired by John McCain and the unnice folks in North Carolina.

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  7. Vir Speluncae CatholicusApril 28, 2008 at 10:42 AM

    I have GOT to put this on my blog! Father, this is absolutely classic!

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  8. Lovely, Father! I wonder what the flock up here would think if our Parish priest spoke like this next Sunday. Especially when he gave us a (well-deserved) going over last week about learning our Faith so that we could then defend it...

    God Bless,

    Embattled Catholic (from the Great White North)

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  9. Fr. Harrie BroersMay 5, 2008 at 3:04 AM

    Beste Confrater,
    als U dan toch in Nederland geboren bent, zult U toch wel wat van de taal behouden hebben!
    Ik ontdekte juist Uw site, het stukje van de herder, is dat niet exact zoals de situatie in Nederland in veel parochies de laatste 40 jaar geworden (lees: verworden) is.......
    Erg treffend, de spijker op de kop!

    Fr. Harrie Broers (www.sint-Pancratius.nl www.paterkarel.nl)

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  10. Nauw ga je lachen, Harrie, omdat ik mijn nederlands bijna vergeten hab. Ik spreek aleen heel eenvoudig nederlands. Bedankt voor je post. Ik heb het goed begreepen. Het is erg jammer dat de kerk hier precies zoals de nederlandse kerk word. Jij kan toch wel engels praaten, of niet?
    Peace to you!

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  11. Perhaps the confusion comes from some old books spelling "Nicea" as "Nice." Poor souls!

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  12. [... ] is one nice source of information on this topic[...]

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  13. Had to post on mine, and embedded the link to yours. This is chilling! Be not afraid, BUT be aware, awake and alert! They are in our very midst and boy do I know it! Very "close to home." Pray for our priests!! God bless.

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  14. Wicked, yes! but so telling. As the old adage says, "Many a true word is spoken in jest"...and sadly, your little scenario is all too accurate. Much prayer is needed, especially for priests the world over.

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