Responsibility
Responsibility
Perhaps one of the most striking passages about responsibility is found in the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel — a passage repeated twice (Ezekiel 3 and 33):
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning… that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.” (Ezekiel 3:17–18; 33:7–8)
The most serious phrase here is what the Lord says to the responsible shepherd:
“His blood I will require at your hand.”
Many priests remember this phrase when they pray in Psalm 51: “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation.”
What are these “bloods”? Are they not the souls lost through our neglect?
The Lord repeats His warning to the shepherds in the next chapter (Ezekiel 34):
“My sheep became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd; nor did My shepherds search for My sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock. Therefore… I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths.” (Ezekiel 34:8–10)
How fearful are these words: “I will require My flock at their hand.”
The Lord then explains the true way of shepherding:
“Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out… I will feed them in good pasture… I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God. “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick…” (Ezekiel 34:11–17).
David, too, sings of God’s shepherding care:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness.” (Psalm 23:2–3)
And what of the shepherds? How do they care for the needs of their flock — their guidance, their correction, their nourishment?
St. Paul said to the elders of Ephesus:
“For three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:31)
He says: “Warn everyone with tears” — not with harshness, pride, or authority, but gently, as he also instructs Timothy the bishop:
“Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
And again: “Comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Some habits take time to overcome, especially for the weak and the fainthearted.
Here we see the true role of the priest: it is not about authority, but about responsibility — authority only exists to fulfill that responsibility.
This responsibility is summed up in one phrase from the Didascalia:
“He must care for every person, that all may be saved.”
Many priests forget this core mission — the salvation of souls — and become preoccupied with other matters: endless activities, rituals, projects, fundraising, administration, and even struggles for control and dominance.
Yet only one thing is needed: to care for every soul, that all may be saved.
This reminds us of the Lord’s words:
“Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” (Luke 12:42–43)
But if he fails in his duty — how dreadful is the judgment awaiting him! (Luke 12:45–46)
Such is the depth of the responsibility the Lord requires of the shepherd for every soul. And He repeats His solemn warning:
“His blood I will require at your hand.”
As for how the shepherd fulfills this responsibility — that will be continued.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
