The account of historical happenings recounted in today’s First Reading has a contemporary echo.
Jeroboam wants to cut ties with Jerusalem. He makes two images of a golden calf, one destined for the north; the other for the south of the kingdom. He is successful because the leaders of the people keep a profound silence. Result: religious schism.
The account is more about bad shepherds than about bad politicians. Shepherds must lead their sheep. Schisms come about because of a lack of love on the part of shepherds. Result: loss of faith on the part of the sheep.
In some parts of the world today the sheep suffer because the shepherds are silent when politicians display images of a golden calf.
Today is the first Saturday of the month, a day dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, the patroness of our country. I will spend time with her asking that she keep our shepherds in her special care.