The Most Reverend William J. Hickey was a central Massachusetts priest who became auxiliary and then bishop of Providence just after World War I. His Excellency chose as his episcopal motto the familiar opening phrase from the 23rd psalm: The Lord is my shepherd. However in those days certainly and even today, a bishop’s motto would be written in Latin which in this case, with a certain irony, would be: Dominus Regit Me – The Lord Rules Me. And history recalls Bishop Hickey as a prelate who indeed was given to “rule, guide, direct and manage” his diocese.
A rather nasty language controversy erupted during Bishop Hickey’s tenure over the use of French or any foreign language in the diocesan schools. Woonsocket parishioners especially wanted to preserve their French-Canadian roots and expected classes to be taught in that language. In 1928, Bishop Hickey excommunicated 63 members of this so-called Sentinellist movement. He placed their local publication La Sentinelle on the Index of Forbidden Books, clearly prohibiting Catholics from reading it. The bishop went even further in 1929, barring the excommunicated individuals from entering any Catholic churches in the diocese! The wayward nationalists had had enough. They quickly recanted their opposition to Bishop Hickey and he lifted their excommunications. He sadly died in 1933 at the age of 64.
It was of course St. Jerome who chose to translate the rather tender Hebrew (ro-i) and Greek (poiman) words that implied shepherding action into the possibly more authoritarian Latin word (regit) which could be easily translated as “The Lord rules” or “The Lord governs,” giving a rather authoritarian air to what is rightly considered a very tender and caring psalm. English translators, even going back to the Catholic Douay-Rheims and the King James versions, almost unanimously opt for the shepherding motif rather than any dictatorial design. In any circumstance, the psalmist certainly wanted to convey the Lord as an attentive leader who would kindly monitor his charges amid “verdant pastures” and “right paths.”
The first reading at Mass this Sunday is an equally tender passage from the prophet Isaiah who envisions God as an extravagantly generous host whose abundant care for all people evokes awe: “On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines (25:6).” Worshipers should note here that the Lord’s kindness is meant for “all” peoples, a particularly generous theme for the Old Testament. The prophet continues, “On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations (25:7).” And then he adds, “The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth (25:8).” So whether he be the kindly shepherd or the magnanimous host, these Old Testament passages portray a very attentive and quite concerned Father-figure who is ever alert towards his peoples’ welfare. St. Paul as well conveys the same message this Sunday through his words to the church at Philippi: “My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen (4:20).”
St. Matthew for his part is not to be outdone by the Hebrew Scriptures or the Letter of the Apostle. The Evangelist offers his own folksy, broadminded understanding of God’s concern and generosity. The king who is disappointed that his honored guests have spurned his thoughtful invitation kindly reaches out toward the wider world to share in his lavish festivities. He tells his servants, “Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests (Mt.22:8-10).”
The Scripture readings this Sunday are unanimous in celebrating the kindness, the generosity, the openness of God toward every living being. God is indeed the solicitous master of the sheep, the generous host on the mountain side, and the broadminded banqueter in the sumptuous hall. In the challenging periods in our everyday lives, it is this kindly leader, this thoughtful master, this unstinting benefactor that should be every believer’s guide and comfort. The celebrated words of the psalmist today, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” should be the daily strength of every challenged believer.
