I
Came That They May Have Life Abundantly
Introduction: May you enjoy the comfort and peace that comes from knowing that Jesus, the
Good Shepherd, is caring for you at all times.
Some people
do not like being compared to a sheep. They see a sheep as a mindless animal that
aimlessly grazes in the field. Yet, many people seem to aimlessly go through their
lives without paying attention to others, particularly to those who should be concerned
for their overall Good. In reality, sheep seem to sense a closeness to the shepherd
who truly cares for the flock. They trust in the one who leads them, and they follow
the shepherd wherever the shepherd goes. We must have the same trust in the Good
Shepherd who cares for us above and beyond what is expected of Him. We must sense
the comfort and peace of Him Who leads us through the dark valley and provides abundantly
for us, willing to lay down His own life for us.
As we continue
to be in our “sheep pen” during this year, we may have experienced both Good and
not-so-good shepherds. It is impressive that the civil leaders who are truly concerned
for all those entrusted to their care. These individuals seem to truly care for
those under them and spend many hours each day working with others to provide the
best information and care for all the people. Other examples of Good Shepherds have
been some of our church leaders who have done what is asked of them by those who
are in authority over them, and most especially by the Good Shepherd, Jesus. Let
us continue to pray for all who are called and have answered that call to provide
for the flocks entrusted to them.
Today is Pastor
Bonus Sunday. That does not mean that the pastor of the
church gets a bonus. Pastor Bonus is
Latin for “Good Shepherd.” We focus on the role of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and
our response as faithful sheep of His flock.
Our theme
of “Good Shepherd” is heard in the Twenty-third Psalm today: “The LORD is my Shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.” In this often-quoted psalm, we proclaim what our
Shepherd has done for us: giving us Good pasture, leading us, feeding us, and providing
peace and security.
As in the
First Reading, St. Peter’s words are also heard in the Second Reading. Peter is
encouraging his flock (Jesus’ flock under Peter’s care) to stay true to the Good
Shepherd even in the midst of the trials and persecutions they are facing. For Jesus,
the Good Shepherd, has already experienced even worse suffering for the flock, and
He has healed them by His own wounds, so they would not be wayward sheep, but faithful
members of His flock.
In the tenth
chapter of St. John’s Gospel, we see Jesus portrayed as the Good Shepherd, the One
Who calls each sheep and leads all His flock to safety. Jesus is also the Sheep
Gate. Thus, we hear how the Good Shepherd has a personal relationship with His sheep
(they know Him as He calls out their name); the Good Shepherd is willing to lay
down His life for the protection of the sheep; and He leads the flock to verdant
pastures.
First Reading:
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
‘God has made him both Lord and Christ.’
Commentary: In the previous passage, we heard Peter’s explanation of the Resurrection as the fulfilment of God’s plan
as outlined in the scriptures. Now we hear the practical consequences: baptism to
wash away sin and to receive the Spirit as Christ did at his own baptism. From the
very beginning, Luke shows that baptism and the promises are for all, not just for
the Jews. All are welcome into Christ’s company. But we must first understand what
Peter (and before him, Jesus and even John the Baptist) meant by ‘repentance’. It
is not a doleful moping over sin. It is a change of life, a complete change of scales
of values. The Greek word means a changed mindset. The corresponding Hebrew word
means turning round and going in the opposite direction. It is a serious business,
not to be undertaken lightly. We think we did it at baptism, or when we took on
Christianity for ourselves. In fact, a more careful scrutiny tells us of all kinds
of unswept corners where the old standards and scales of value remain lurking, breeding, and reproducing. The Christian is baptised into Christ and into Christ’s death in
order to rise to new life with Christ, but even St Paul acknowledges that he remains
caught up in doing the evil he wants to avoid.
Second
Reading: 1 Peter 2:20b-25
‘You have returned to the Shepherd of your souls.’
Commentary: The most striking
element in this passage is that it is addressed primarily to slaves, exhorting them
to bear with the harsh treatment of their masters after the model of Jesus’ own
acceptance of harsh treatment. What is striking is that the author does not in the
least question the institution of slavery nor see injustice in the harsh treatment
which slaves tended to receive. It was not for a millennium and a half that the
treatment and the institution itself of slavery was seen to be incompatible with
Christ’s teaching on the equal dignity and limitless value of every individual human
being. As the Pope pointed out on his recent visit to Britain, credit for the extension
to slaves of this important principle of social justice must be given to Christian
political movements in Britain. However, the wider principle remains that we all
suffer to a greater or lesser degree and that this is a priceless opportunity to
draw close to the suffering Christ and consciously to share in his redemptive suffering.
Nor must the suffering of others in union with Christ be neglected. It is easy to
despise the poorer and more neglected members of society, and to forget that, by
their very disadvantages, they can be the chosen favourites of the Lord.
Gospel:
John 10:1-10
‘I am the door of the sheep.’
Commentary: The presentation
of the Good Shepherd is the nearest approach to a parable given to us in the Gospel
of John. Jesus tells it immediately after a major clash with Pharisees as a result
of his cure of the Man Born Blind. This position gives it additional force: the
hearers could not fail to understand it in the light of the chapter of Ezekiel 34,
in which the prophet contrasts the lazy and self-seeking shepherds ruling Israel
in Ezekiel’s day with the ideal shepherd whom God would send as his representative.
This shepherd would be God himself and his servant David. So Jesus’ description
of himself as the Good Shepherd is at once a claim to be the Messiah of the line
of David and, in some sense, to be himself the divine Shepherd of Israel. In some
way, this parable holds the same place in John as the parable of the Wicked Tenants
in the synoptic gospels (Mark 12.1-12 and parallels), a condemnation of the present
leadership of Israel and a promise of a special messenger sent from God. In the
synoptic story, the murderous malice of the farm-workers is more prominent; in the
Johannine story, the devotion and loving care of the shepherd.
Stories
and images of farming life abound in all the gospels, a testimony to the background
of Jesus and his hearers in the farming communities of Galilee. These were the images
that would naturally spring to mind. In most of these parables, sheep appear as
helpless and gormless creatures, prone to getting lost and needing to be sought
out, carried back on the shoulders of the shepherd– an apt image of most of us most
of the time! Only in this parable are they more responsive and seem to have a real
relationship with their shepherd, having the confidence to go out through the gate
into freedom when he opens it, recognising his voice, following him, and even responding
when he calls their name. We might pray to have that confidence and warmth of a relationship.
Reflection: Do you know the
peace and security of the Good Shepherd who watches over his own? The Old Testament
often speaks of God as the shepherd of his people, Israel. The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph
like a flock! (Psalm 80:1) We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm
100:3). The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed
his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11).
Jesus says he is the Good Shepherd who will risk his life to seek out and save the
stray sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4). He is the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls
(1 Peter 2:25).
The Good Shepherd and Guardian
of our souls: What
can shepherding teach us about God and our relationship with him? At the end of
each day, the shepherd brought his sheep into shelter. They knew the voice of their
shepherd and came at his beckoning. So familiar was the shepherd and his sheep that each was called by a distinct name. In the winter, the sheep were usually brought
to a communal village shelter, which was locked and kept secure by a guardian. In
the summer months, the sheep were usually kept out in the fields and then gathered
into a fold at night, which was guarded by a shepherd throughout the night. He was
literally the door through which the sheep had to pass.
The
Scriptures describe God as a shepherd who brings security and peace to his people.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for
evermore (Psalm 120:8). Even the leaders of God's people are called shepherds: they
shall lead them out and bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord may not
be as sheep which have no shepherd (Numbers 27:17). Just as a shepherd kept watch
over his sheep and protected them from danger, so Jesus stands watch over his people
as the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). Do you know the peace
and security of a life fully submitted to God?
Jesus willingly laid down his life
for us - the sheep he ransomed with his own blood: St. Augustine of
Hippo (354-430 AD) writes: "He has accomplished what he taught us: He has shown
us what He commanded us to do. He laid down his own life for his sheep, that within
our mystery he might change his body and blood into food, and nourish the sheep
he had redeemed with the food of his own flesh. He has shown us the way we must
follow, despite fear of death. He has laid down the pattern to which we must conform
ourselves. The first duty laid on us is to use our material goods in mercy for the
needs of his sheep, and then, if necessary, give even our lives for them. He that
will not give of his substance for his sheep, how shall he lay down his life for
them?" (Tr. 46 in John). Do you look to Jesus the Good Shepherd, to receive
the strength and courage you need to live and serve as his disciple?
"Lord
Jesus, you always lead me in the way of true peace and safety. May I never doubt
your care nor stray from your ways. Keep me safe in the shelter of your presence."
voice recognition
“They
recognize His voice.” —John 10:4
Before
most phones had caller ID, you couldn’t know who was calling until you heard the
caller’s voice. If the caller was your mother, you only needed a few seconds to
be certain she was the person speaking to you; that recognition came from the relationship
you had with her. You learned the sound of her voice by spending time with her.
Similarly,
you must spend time listening to Jesus to be able to “recognize His voice” (Jn 10:4).
How do you do this?
Repent
of all sin. Sin blocks our hearing. Repentance, and especially the Sacrament of
Confession, opens up our ears.
Turn
off the voices of the world, many of which are “a stranger’s voice” (Jn 10:5). Practice
regular silence. God speaks in the silence (see 1 Kgs 19:12ff). Each day, pray:
“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (see 1 Sm 3:10).
Read
the Bible daily, especially the Gospels. “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance
of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 133).
Go
to Mass as often as possible, even daily. At every Mass, a reading from the Gospel
is proclaimed. This is a prime way to learn Jesus’ voice.
Stay
in the sheepfold, the Church. In that safety, you’ll hear His voice better (see
Jn 10:3).
Set
aside a regular time and place to intentionally listen to the Lord. For many, morning
is a primary time to listen for the voice of the Shepherd (see Is 50:4). Be quiet
and listen (see Ps 46:10, RSV-CE). Persevere. He’ll do the rest.
Prayer: Lord, open my ears
that I may hear You (Ps 40:7). “By His wounds you were healed.” —1 Pt 2:24. All
praise and glory to You, risen Jesus, Good Shepherd. Be exalted and glorified forever.
The personal/action for today: How have I heard
the voice of the Good Shepherd? How have I responded to the lead of the Good
Shepherd? Do I sense the peace and calm that comes from being under the care of
the Good Shepherd? Do I pray for those who continue the work of shepherding the
flock of the Lord Jesus? How do I shepherd those who are entrusted to my care?