We Are Meant to Be Sheep, Not Critics!

No sooner was Pope Leo XIV named, did the critics come out, digging into his background and finding reasons to judge how he will be as a pope or why they wished for someone different because of where he’s previously stood on issues. 

Some are saying he’s too much like Pope Francis, when they had wanted a different direction for the Church. One popular conservative Catholic commentator even went so far as to say “I wish it had turned out different.”

Today we’re reminded by Jesus in the Gospel that we are meant to be sheep who listen to the voice of the Shepherd, follow Him, and imitate Him. We’re not meant to be critics of our Shepherd. We should turn our attention back to listening, following, and imitating rather than criticizing and judging. Some Catholics spend a lot of their energy on that vs. more fruitful activities and truly listening to the call and voice of the Shepherd.

The Holy Spirit chose our new Holy Father, just like the Holy Spirit chose Pope Francis. Who are we to judge where the Holy Spirit is leading our Church? Every leader is chosen by God for a special purpose, especially the successors of Peter. Each Pope leads the Church into a new time.

We’re the followers, meant to follow the Shepherd. But we seem to increasingly struggle with that because we have so many opinions, we’re so politically oriented these days, and we think our viewpoint is the right viewpoint. We see everything through the lens of liberalism and conservatism. I would argue that the ways of the Church are higher and broader than either of those worldviews.

If we can’t see why the Holy Spirit chose this particular person for this particular time, the answer will probably come in the future as we see Pope Leo’s papacy unfold. But I would argue that if you’re truly in touch with the Holy Spirit and how it is moving in our Church and world, you can understand why Pope Leo is in the seat he’s in, because you've seen the writing on the wall.

Pope Leo has already struck me as a quiet, humble, and down to earth leader. In a world full of arrogant leaders, this is a welcome change. He speaks in multiple languages and can reach a diversity of people in a global world.

Pope Leo seems to have a missionary heart from his experience in Peru. A leader that is in touch with the needs of the poor is crucial in a society where the gap between the rich and the poor keeps growing. The Pope appears sensitive to justice for the migrant, which is presently a big issue in society, as well as care for creation.

In addition, Pope Leo has already stated the importance of the dignity of life, so we know that he supports life issues from conception to natural death. The life stance of the Church will continue. In addition, he seems to support traditional family values, which are important to so many of us.

Lastly, Pope Leo supports much of what Francis did, including synodality, so there is continuity of direction in the Church and listening to where the Holy Spirit is leading us. 

From my vantage point, there’s not much to not like about Pope Leo. He seems to embody the heart of a shepherd and Catholic Social Teaching, has a good grounding in doctrine and Canon Law, has a wide variety of education and experience that will give him all the gifts necessary for the papacy, and is supportive of the direction that the Church is going. 

So again, today’s Gospel challenges us to listen and hear the voice the Shepherd, and to be the sheep that follow the Shepherd. Let’s ask ourselves: Are we doing that? Are we seeing how the Holy Spirit is moving in our world? Or are we criticizing the Shepherd?