Good Shepherd Sunday
Scripture:
Acts 4:8-12
1 John 83:1-2
John 10:11-18
Reflection:
Today, the fourth Sunday of Easter is Good Shepherd Sunday. There are certain elements that stand out in the gospel and are highlighted by Sister Faustine Maria Pia, S.V. (Magnificat, April 20224, Vol. 26, No. 2 pp-323-324). The first element is that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the sheep recognize his voice. I once asked a farmer how do sheep learn to heed the shepherd’s voice? The farmer responded, the sheep are with the shepherd night and day from birth. Jesus calls us to good pasture which is life with him.
The second element is the sheepfold of this life is shown as a vulnerable place. “My sheep hear my voice…and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand (Jn 10: 27-28). When the wolf comes, the hirelings flee abandoning the sheep. Jesus lays down his life for his sheep calling us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you (MT 5:44). (Ibid. p. 324.)
The third element is the Good Shepherd shows the sheep their worth. We all were created by God as unique, precious, most loveable and loved. Listening to Jesus’ voice we come to realize that “I know my own and my own know me. (Johnn 10:14)” Listening to Jesus we experience how loveable and how loved we are because of Jesus’ infinite love for us.
On this Good Shepherd Sunday, let us find a quiet place to just listen to the Good Shepherd’s voice speaking to us. What is he saying? What is he calling us to do? The Good shepherd promises: “I am with you always” (MT 28:20) (Ibid. p. 324)
Carl Middleton is a theologian/ethicist and a member of the Passionist Family.