A Priest’s Concern for Himself More Than for His Flock
This lecture presents a deep spiritual warning against a shepherd becoming preoccupied with himself at the expense of his flock, based on the words of the Book of Ezekiel about shepherds who “feed themselves and do not feed the sheep.” The essence is that priesthood is a calling to give, not to take, and to sacrifice, not to seek comfort.
Spiritual and Educational Axes
- His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the main danger in ministry is when the priest turns from a shepherd into someone seeking his own material, psychological, or authoritative interests.
- Non-spiritual self-care leads to neglecting the flock, forgetting accountability before God, and losing the true goal of priesthood.
- Holy Scripture presents examples affirming that the true shepherd offers himself for others, as did the Lord Christ, David the Prophet, Paul the Apostle, and Moses the Prophet.
- A priest who is occupied with his comfort, dignity, or rights more than the salvation of souls loses others in the name of self.
- True ministry requires toil, vigilance, endurance, and fasting for the sake of people, not only for oneself.
- Pastoral prayer is not a formal ritual, but a continuous heartfelt concern for every individual in the congregation and their needs.
- The teaching establishes a clear principle: if the comfort of the shepherd conflicts with the comfort of the flock, the flock comes first.
- Whatever the priest receives should be a reward from God for his faithfulness and self-giving, not the result of selfish pursuit of self-care.
✝ Conclusion
The good shepherd does not care for himself but offers himself. Whoever forgets himself for the sake of others is preserved and cared for by God, but whoever thinks he preserves himself by neglecting the flock actually destroys himself.
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