MICHAEL O’BRIEN*
Thus says the Lord: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.
As a shepherd tends his flock
when he finds himself among his scattered sheep,
so will I tend my sheep
Ezekiel 34:11-16
This past Saturday, while covering the Synod on Synodality in Rome, one of America’s executive editors, Sebastian Gomes, sent a photo of the tomb of Pope St. John XXIII to our staff, letting us know that he was praying for us all from overseas. Whether coincidentally or not, this photo was sent just days before John XXIII’s feast day, October 11, which the Catholic Church celebrates today.
John XXIII’s tenure as pope was remarkable: He was the first pope to ever be celebrated as Time’s “Man of the Year” in 1963, and his landmark “Pacem in Terris” was the first papal encyclical to include an address to “all men of goodwill” rather than just beckoning to Catholics. He also appointed the first cardinals hailing from Africa, Japan, and the Philippines, and perhaps most importantly, he launched the first meetings of the Second Vatican Council.
Perhaps the simplest part of his papacy, which I find to be the most impactful, was his commitment to being a pastoral pope, meaning that he prioritized the emotional, social, and spiritual support of believers. As his Vatican biography notes, “In his coronation address, he asserted ‘vigorously and sincerely’ that it was his intention to be a pastoral pope since ‘all other human gifts and accomplishments—learning, practical experience, diplomatic finesse—can broaden and enrich pastoral work but they cannot replace it.'”
Pastoralism (the definition of the term draws directly from the practice of shepherding) provides a unique opportunity for the church. Not only does the pastoral nature of the church inspire us to holistically think about the needs of Christians, but pastoralism is likewise a hallmark of several other religions, allowing for interfaith dialogue to begin on common ground.
This is why today’s readings celebrating John XXIII’s life are so apt— along with my selected passage from the first reading, both the responsorial Psalm and Gospel likewise focus on shepherds and sheep as well, as the image of God as a shepherd is perhaps the chief representation of pastoralism within the church.
With all this in mind, I also couldn’t help but think of what John XXIII, the architect of a monumental assembly in the history of the church, may have thought about the Synod on Synodality, which Pope Francis described as “a great opportunity for a pastoral conversion in terms of mission and ecumenism.“
In this context, John XXIII’s reminder that “learning, practical experience, and diplomatic finesse” can only go so far rings true for the synod. While every cardinal, bishop, and layperson attending the synod undoubtedly brings some sort of expertise to the (round) table, remembering John XXIII’s goal to allow God the shepherd to guide the heart of the church would serve the congregation well.
But John XXIII’s commitment to a pastoral church doesn’t just apply to those attendants in Rome right now. While we may rely on our own ethos and intellect to make difficult decisions in our own lives, sometimes we forget to take a breath and look out for where God the shepherd is guiding us with his staff.
So, while describing people as “sheep” may come with a negative connotation today, let us allow ourselves to hone in on the part of our lives that needs herding, acknowledging that even if we think we have all the answers, there’s always more that God can reveal to us.
*Michael O’Brien is an O’Hare Fellow at America Media.