Archbishop Weakland, truly honored Guests (including members of the Weakland family, bishops of our Region VII, representatives of the two Christian communities with whom we live in covenant, namely the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee and the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), representatives of every dimension of our archdiocesan family and even those unexpectedly called away contrary to their desire and druthers, yet still very present with us in mind and heart ... Friends All!

In today’s Gospel, with remarkably disarming assurance, with the clarity of One who loved to teach in parables, with unassuming humility, Jesus said simply “I am the gate.” Not once, but twice, even in these few verses (Jn 10:7.9). Not the gate keeper, nor the owner of the flock, but the gate.

Now, never mind the endless runoffs from the metaphor, or the seemingly less than complimentary implications for the rest of us (at least in our culture); simply listen to the point of the image: “I am the gate,” says the Lord.

What does it mean for a person to be “a gate?” The focus is clearly on function. A gate is a place where people freely converge and gather, but for a destination beyond itself. By definition, a gate can never be self contained! Think for a moment of our Miller Park with entrances crowded for opening day, or the main gate to Summerfest grounds, or even our Cathedral doors! A gate is a place, almost always more narrow than convenient, where people pull together in order to pass through ... in the case of this Gospel’s image, out for nourishment, and then finally at the end of the day back for security and rest. One doesn’t linger in the gate itself; one moves on. A good gate is visible, open, unimpeded by rough terrain, truly helpful for those seeking to enter yet another space further beyond. Jesus claimed to be “the Way,” the transparent passage way to the Father. And so, sharing his Spirit, putting on the mind of Christ, enables his followers, his flock, to enter a new world more generous and just, not merely in heaven sometime out in the future, but already here and now.

The Lord must have used the image of shepherd and sheep and flock and their care countless times, in almost every conceivable variation, even when speaking about the “lost sheep” (Lk 15:3-7). The image was familiar to his disciples, and close at hand. They knew what he was talking about.

Jesus is also remembered for candidly, humbly, proclaiming himself a “good shepherd.” I find it instructive to recall that the Greek word used in this Gospel reference is not ????????namely, morally upright and good in that sense), something surely presumed and taken for granted when we speak of the Lord, but rather ??????(namely, skillful, accomplished, successful ... like a good cook or a good carpenter). Now obviously both characteristics are in fact intended when we speak of the Lord. Jesus Christ, Risen Lord, is both Open Gate and Good Shepherd. Today, on “Good Shepherd Sunday,” we proclaim that with all our being and with one voice.

And, as a matter of fact, both open gate and good shepherd are what we celebrate today as we commemorate Archbishop Weakland’s quarter of a century of pastoral care and service in our midst ... a person who brought the skills of a decade’s worth of Benedictine global leadership to us here in southeastern Wisconsin.

I will never forget my very first view of the man, as I sat here in what was once the front pew of the cathedral, waiting for the afternoon practice for his ordination and installation the following morning. Hearing a bit of commotion, I turned toward the door to see him coming up the aisle. He claims he was frightened ... one would never have guessed it as he walked into this sacred space for the first time, and into our community of faith and into our lives.

Now this is not a canonization, but the fact is that he has been a very good shepherd ... there can be no doubt about it. Let me count the ways ... wise, very bright, voraciously reading everything, analyzing the currents of the day, willing to listen carefully, paying close attention to whatever issue history may have placed on his plate at the moment, never avoiding problems or temporizing, but facing them with courage and apostolic, namely boldness and candor, remarkably capable of reframing questions so that others could also enter the search for helpful solutions ... a skillful, talented, eminently capable shepherd. Being a good shepherd, he has called us to be good as well, in both senses!

How does a wise shepherd lead? Not by coercion or bullying, but by invitation and example ... Nihil nisi per amicitiam, said Augustine ... nothing happens except through friendship!

Our second reading from First Peter today made a point of saying, “If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God, for to this you have been called” (I Pet 2:20f). We all know something about that ... in good days, and in more difficult ones.

You, Archbishop Rembert, have also been “the gate!” ... providing access to the best of the Church’s theological and liturgical tradition, access to the workings of the Kingdom of God in our midst ... to the challenging issues that have defined our modern age, access to a better world for the poor and those materially deprived of economic justice, access to holiness ... working that we may “have life, and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).

Fortunately, we need not say “goodbye” this afternoon, and we have no intentions of doing so ... for you plan to remain with us for years to come. There will be other celebrations this spring, some days next month with the priests for example, and three regional vespers, an ecumenical/interfaith prayer service, even a concert, but today, here in this renovated Cathedral which we consider a small sign of our appreciation, we do want to say “Thank you” with all the gratitude our hearts can muster ... thank you for saying “yes” to the Holy Father almost twenty-five years ago ... thank you for unfailing patience and sound teaching (the title of the Festschrift we are preparing for the occasion) ... thank you for answering e-mails and letters of complaint (eventually when you figured out what you could possibly say to help) ... thank you for making yourself so accessible to friends and critics alike (with “equal charity to all” as your motto promised) ... thank you for so much wisdom honed by charity and experience.

Undoubtedly, there are dreams and projects still unfinished, but you have only been the gate, and a memorable one at that! Today we salute you with an affection that has become deep and abiding.

Finally, tempted though I be, knowing your sentiments as I do, I will not suggest a rousing chorus of "On Eagle's Wings," but I will invite this assembly to join me in an expression of our heartfelt thanks for everything you have done and become with and for us all over these twenty-five years! Let the Church say, "Amen!"

-Richard J. Sklba