LOL...that was also my reaction!
While cruising with my cart through the Fresh Produce section of the supermarket on Saturday, from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a familiar face walking towards me. Khaki slacks, white short sleeved sports shirt, a slight sway of the hips - it was the pastor from my former RC parish. Recognizing me, he walked over. I politely asked how he was doing and was treated to a 10 minute dialogue on his most recent weekend trip to the family camp in the Adirondacks. I noted that the parking lot at his parish was growing and he assured me that this was necessary to accomodate the overflow crowds on weekends. He never inquired about me or my daughter, nor did he even ask which parish we now attended. It was all about "him".
I couldn't help but contrast that with the pastor at our Maronite Church. Saturday will find him with a spade digging out the wells around the church, or raking up rocks, tearing down old sheds, and simply working on restoring a dilapidated old church for his congregation. After 6 hours of intense labor, he is usually covered with dust and dripping with perspiration. This is the ONLY time you will ever see him in anything but his Roman collar. In 3 years, he has not had one vacation. After the Divine Liturgy, he makes the rounds at the back of the church, checking on each parishioner, inquiring about their needs and offering up prayers for their intentions. His sermons directly address Christ as our Savior, a compassionate God but one who will mete out justice. His parking lot is small and half empty.
I don't understand why the situation is not reversed. This good priest shepherds his flock while the other one leads them astray. As today's gospel reminds us, Jesus was rejected by the Jews in his home town because He preached the Truth. Nothing has changed.