THE 'TRANCE'D SHEPHERD AND FLOCK

Remya Rachel Thomas

(Published as a Facebook post on 4th March, 2020- slightly edited)

We were looking for a ‘good shepherd’, and instead we got a German Shepherd.’

Pope Benedict XVI

 A face, four legs and a tiny tail- draw it on a white cloud and you’ve learned how to draw a sheep. Sheep can be the cutest, meekest animal that lives in flocks. They are very social-like us. That’s the first sentence in any sociology book right- Man is a social animal. So, we do have a lot in common.

Sheep love to be together-and they try to stay together. The more sheep in the flock, the safer from predators. Being one of the earliest domesticated animals on the planet, you will hardly find a sole wild sheep wandering alone in search of ‘freedom’. They have never known a life without the shepherd or at least a shepherd dog. If you find a sheep go astray, that usually means that it is not feeling well.

The role of the shepherd is quite challenging. He has to be on the watch always as wild animals love to attack the isolated one. If the shepherd is the owner too then he would care for the sheep wholeheartedly and even risk his life in danger-just like the shepherd boy David courageously fought the lion and the bear while taking care of his father’s sheep. He surely had that in mind while composing Psalm 23. All early civilizations and communities had shepherdism and it was also considered as a respected occupation then.

The behaviour of the sheep is quite similar to the collective Christian mind. Humans always wish to be with a ‘flock’ of their own from which they want fellowship and security. We also tend to have a leader in each community- the pastor. It is interesting how the word ‘pastor’ evolved from ‘shepherd’ or ‘herdsman’, who take care of the sheep in the ‘pastoral’ lands or the green pastures.

In today’s world, how are the sheep? Similar, yet different, right. We still need a leader and feel secure when we are together. If any problem or sickness comes, we are instinctively fearful like the sheep. We need the shepherd in our utmost pain-like the sheep that allows the shepherd to help them during its most painful situation (like birthing). We also tend to follow the leader who moves first. But, at the same time, people are very observant of the shepherd and react at the slightest flaw. The general body or committee meetings in church which should be done peacefully and with understanding become into market fights filled with abusive language. Anything and everything are suddenly posted on social media and the priest or pastor is exposed for whatever wrong done. People are ready to fight for a position in the church as if it’s some political election. Some ‘sheep’ are still conservative though-they do not want to change their habits, routines or traditions-like the sheep never change theirs!

What about the modern day ‘shepherds’? There are very many genuine faithful shepherds who love and tend their sheep wholeheartedly. They take care of the church and its people and remain loyal to their call and the One who called them. But the advocates for our heavenly Shepherd are slowly proving prophet Ezekiel’s words true. The whole concept of a ‘good shepherd’ is dying on earth. The sheep are turning into aggressive rams who do not want to respect the leader because they feel he is not leading them to good. A true shepherd not only points the way to the sheep but also walks along with them. Nowadays,it seems that so many of our church leaders lack that genuine concern for the people, as if they fail to think that this is their ‘daily bread’. There is no shepherd without the sheep.

This world is turning into a madhouse rapidly. Our ego and desires are our sole dictator and the church and faith have no place there. This does not spare the herdsmen. The flock of Christ has been torn apart because so many shepherds are competing with each other to prove who’s the best- as if ministry is some competition to win, or a business to boost up. Our flock and shepherds alike, have to regain their innocence and conviction to become one in the Spirit again. Immorality has no role to play in our church, but why is it gaining victory over our faith journey and our leaders? Greed is such a deadly sin, but it’s overpowering the senses of the children of God and His envoys.

We are all in a trance-either of fanatic religion, or of covet for temporary worldly pleasures and comforts. Especially the youth of today. This world has so much more to ‘give’ than our worship services or Sunday schools or youth meetings; at least that’s what they think. Our faith foundation is so weak these days, that no one is sure of the truth and no one bothers to know it more either. We have exactly the same time the youths had five years or even 50 or 500 years ago. Then why don’t we have time to share with our church family? Should we blame the parents, the kids or this sinful immoral world?

The brand-new Malayalam movie ‘TRANCE’ portrays how religion can be sold out, without hampering the name of God. A very open, slightly exaggerated plot about a pastor, Joshua Carlton, who rapidly rises to fame and power, feeding on man’s never-ending desire for miracles to create prosperity, and good health. The film also shows how foolish humans can be (even the so called literate Malayalis), not knowing the pastor was a fraud and his church was just a scam to make money. The sheep blindly believe in the pomp and show, not knowing they were just part of a pre-planned drama, right inside the church they leaned onto for comfort.

Viju Prasad (Fahad Fasil) stands for today’s youth. The background of a broken family, stressed life, financial burdens, unemployment but big dreams of big-time money. He grabs the chance to become this entertaining pastor, even though he was an atheist,because this is the job that can bring him nearest to his dream of becoming a motivational speaker who enthrals thousands of people, without one care that he’s deceiving those same people. What about Esther Lopez (Nazriya Nazim)? Who cares how you make the money, right? As long as you can buy all those branded clothes, shoes and bags and travel in those A-class cars? Mathews Thomas (Soubin Shahir) can also be seen as a youth who tries to defame a ‘man of God’ (we know he’s not, but still) by hook or crook. Everyone, we see, are tranced by this world, its gimmicks and abysses.

There are so many other youths in that film who act like ‘altar boys’, but are actually ‘gundas’ in disguise. They stand all around the church as volunteers but actually control the whole scripted healing 'Mela' which is happening there, and beat up an enemy if needed. In actual life, such youths might just see this as a job and not as a service to the Lord (because it is not!). The choir is also full of youths but aren’t they also part of this staged performance of Pastor Joshua Carlton; singing and talking in tongues exactly at the gaps in his sermon?

‘Be shepherds of God’s flock, that is under your care, watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (I Peter 5:2-3) Remind yourselves each day why you are a Christian, why you are a priest; have a genuine care for those in your family, in your church and those around you. Attend to the poor, sick and needy and be available to those who need your presence. Lift your heads from that mobile screen; more people would ‘like’ and ‘follow’ you if you go out there and touch souls with the true Christian love. Give your full attention, where it is needed.

The church is not to be a façade of loud and attractive spectacles. It’s a place where we can worship the Lord calmly and humbly. It should not turn into a market place or a theatre. Don’t be silent observers; participate, sing for Him and ask Him to cleanse your hearts. It’s so clear that those who are looking at us can find satires lying in our worship and lives, that its movie material nowadays. We are so dormant towards our faith that even if they do, we don’t care. We laugh along and applaud. No wonder so many films are highlighting the ironies and hypocrisy of our Christian life because they expect us to be much better. What a shame.

Don’t be surprised one day if you turn around and see Jesus himself coming down and destroying your church, just like He did at the Jerusalem temple because it’s being tarnished by those same problems of dishonesty, unhealthy conversations, politics, jealousy, and megalomania. We are too human and less divine. Christ was different, and He chose us to be different too. This world is too materialistic and stressful. We cannot change the whole world, but we can face it all with steadfast faith, ardent prayer and righteous living. Don’t be a Christian just by your name, but by your deeds too.

Beware the false prophets. Know your Lord from His Word, first and foremost. Dear priests and pastors, if you feel like you can’t be true to your calling as a shepherd and keep up a chaste pastoral ministry, choose another ‘profession’, rather than keep fooling the sheep, who are not meek and mild anymore, and can demean you for sure. Dear fellow believers and youths, life will always have ups and downs, but the Lord who called you to be His own will carry you through all circumstances. Wait upon the Lord with a contrite heart and do good as long as you breathe on this planet, without succumbing to its magnetic mesmerising pull.

He makes me lie down in green pastures….

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.