ACC ~ John 10 v13

TRIALS SHOW WHO IS A HIRELING

GREGORY THE GREAT: But we cannot truly know whether anyone is a shepherd or a hireling if there is no occasion to test him. During times of peace even a hireling frequently stands for the protection of the flock like a true shepherd. When the wolf comes, each one shows what his intention was as he stood as protector of the flock. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 15. [1]

[1] CS 123:108.

BITTER AND MERCILESS WOLVES

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Humanity, having yielded to an inclination for sin, wandered away from love toward God. On this account we were banished from the sacred and divine fold, I mean the realm of paradise. Having been weakened by this calamity, we became the prey of two bitter and merciless wolves: namely, the devil who had beguiled humanity to sin; and death, which had been born from sin. But when Christ was announced as the good Shepherd over all, in the struggle with this pair of wild and terrible beasts, he laid down his life for us. He endured the cross for our sakes that by death he might destroy death. He was condemned for our sakes that he might deliver all of us from condemnation for sin, abolishing the tyranny of sin by means of faith and “nailing to his cross the bond that was against us,” [1] as it is written. Accordingly, the father of sin used to put us “in hades like sheep,” delivering us over to “death as our shepherd,” [2] according to what is said in the Psalms. But the truly good Shepherd died for our sakes, that he might take us out of the dark pit of death and prepare to enfold us among the companies of heaven and give to us mansions above, even with the Father, instead of dens situated in the depths of the abyss or the recesses of the sea. Therefore Jesus says to us, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” [3] COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 6.1. [4]

[1] Col 2:14.

[2] See Ps 49:14 (48:15 LXX).

[3] Lk 12:32.

[4] LF 48:76-77**.

SILENCE AT THE WOLF’S ATTACK

AUGUSTINE: Suppose someone has sinned—grievously sinned. He ought to be rebuked, excommunicated. However, if he is excommunicated, he will become an enemy and will plot and do as much harm as he can. And so, for the time being, the pastor who seeks his own and not what is Christ’s keeps quiet and does not reprove the person so that he will not have to put up with the annoyances of their attacks or lose what he truly follows after—the advantage of human friendship. But look! The wolf has caught a sheep by the throat; the devil has enticed a believer into adultery. And yet, you are silent—you do not censure. As a hireling, you have seen the wolf coming, and you fled. Perhaps you answer and say, “See, I am here: I have not fled.” You have fled [1] because you have been silent; you have been silent because you are afraid. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 46.8. [2]

[1] In his Letter 228 (NPNF 1 1:577-78) Augustine uses this passage to discuss when it is permitted for a minister to flee during persecution.

[2] NPNF 1 7:259**.

WITHHOLDING CONSOLATION FROM THE SHEEP

GREGORY THE GREAT: The wolf too comes upon the sheep whenever any unrighteous person oppresses the humble believers. The one who only appears to be a shepherd leaves the sheep and flees because he is too afraid to resist the wolf’s violence from fear of danger to himself. He flees not by moving to another place but by withholding consolation from his flock. The one who conceals himself beneath his silence is the one who flees…. The hireling is inflamed with no enthusiasm to fight against this injustice…. The only reason that the hireling flees is because he is a hireling. A person who is in charge of the sheep, not because he loves them but because he is seeking earthly gain, cannot make a stand when the sheep are in danger. Because he esteems honor, because he enjoys his temporal advantages, he is afraid to oppose the danger for fear he should lose what he loves so much. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 15. [1]

[1] CS 123:108-9**.

FOLLOW THE VOICE, NOT THE HIRELING

AUGUSTINE: Many that seek temporal advantages in the church preach Christ, and through them Christ’s voice is heard. But the sheep are not following the hireling but the voice of the Shepherd speaking through the hireling. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 46.6. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:258**.