CHRIST: THE GOOD SHEPHERD IS OUR GATEWAY TO LIFE AND SALVATION
The Fourth Sunday of Easter usually known as the Good Shepherd Sunday reminds us that, Christ is our gateway to life and salvation. On this day, we are encouraged by the Church to reflect on the meaning of the Resurrection. That is, we celebrate the Risen Christ as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.
The Resurrected Christ is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. The concept of the Good Shepherd is one of the most beautiful titles of Jesus Christ in the Bible. It reminds us of a God-man who is loving, caring, tender, and empathetic with us.
This Sunday is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Today, we are challenged with a deep sense of urgency to pray for vocations to the priestly, religious, and marital life.
OUR THEME
There is no beautiful and consoling theme for the world ravaged by conflicts and wars today. The theme of Risen Christ as our Good Shepherd offers us in our present world condition or situation the protection and care of God.
He is not only the Lord and Saviour of our lives, hearts, souls, and body. He is the Good Shepherd who laid his life down for us, leads and guides us to healthy, ever-greener pastures and living running water, and protects us from all harm, evil, and danger. (Ps 23)
The readings of the fourth Sunday of Easter invite us to reflect on the theme of pasturing in the Christian community. They point to the need to imitate the Good Shepherd or Pastor: Jesus Christ who leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects his sheep. As well as, the shepherd who dies and rose from the dead to give eternal life to his sheep.
Therefore, Jesus declaring himself as the Good Shepherd was not just comparing himself with traditional shepherds who would go to any length to care for his sheep. It is also in contrast to the bad, wicked, or “un-vocational” shepherd in the prophecy of Ezekiel 34: 1-10 who are Israel’s Shepherds. That is, the priests and religious leaders or authorities who used the people of God as a means to an end.
Invariably, the good shepherd solicits from sheep the need to be a good sheep or followers. By their dispositions to listen, follow, and imitate with docility. The good pastor’s parents or leader’s disposition to be loving, caring, and empathetic is not enough if the sheep do not cooperate or complement their efforts.
We are all shepherds or pastors in our different capacities in the vocations we live. Either as priests, religious, leaders of parish groups or organizations, parents, or individuals in different positions of life.
Invariably, the good shepherd solicits from sheep the need to be a good sheep or followers. By their dispositions to listen, follow, and imitate with docility. The good pastor’s parents’ or leader’s disposition to be loving, caring, and empathetic is not enough if the sheep do not cooperate or complement their efforts.
FIRST READING: ACTS 4:8-12
St. Peter´s testimony to the risen Christ by whose power he was able to heal the sick is one of a pastor. A good pastor who could connect feel. Or relate to the misery of the sheep, the crippled sick man.
Equally, as a chief shepherd or pastor of the early Christian community, he preached and admonished both Jews and Gentiles to live a life worthy of saving by the name and power of the risen Christ.
One solid fact of Peter is that the crucified and Resurrected Christ is “the stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone” of human salvation. This means the vocational work of a shepherd has not much admiration or appreciation by many. Yet, it is the most empathetic work of tender love and care.
The psalmist in today´s Psalm 118 affirms and testifies to this claim too, “the stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.” That is, the rejected Christ who was subjected to a cruel and shameful death has become the keystone of human redemption.
This is the Lord´s doing and it is wonderful in our eyes. Indeed, we are invited to be gracious and grateful for the resurrection of Christ: our victory and our glory of sin and death.
SECOND READING: 1 JOHN 3:1-2
St John, the evangelist and apostle of Christ assures us of the love of God lavishly pour out upon us in and through Christ Jesus. The Good Shepherd demonstrates the greatest love of all: “Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
The love of the Father lavished on all God’s children is the shepherd´s love for all his sheep. It is not a love that is conditional or elective. It is a transforming love that changes us to the pure likeness of God who is love, itself. (1 John 4:8)
In conclusion, St John tells us of the lavish love of God, the Father for us, his children is an invitation to the vocation to love. In other words, to love dearly, generously, and empathetically those who live under our care as pastors of souls, parents, or leaders in different capacities of life.
THE GOSPEL: JOHN 10:11-18
Jesus declares himself as the Good Shepherd and the Gate to the sheepfold in today´s gospel. These are powerful imageries that convey deeper meanings and significances of God´s presence, providence, guidance, protection, and intervention in our day-to-day life experiences.
The Good Shepherd is everything to his flock: providence, protection, safeguard, exemplary, and abiding presence to them. He does not rob, kill, destroy, manipulate, use abuse, or take advantage of them.
3. There is also the human danger of thieves and robbers always ready to steal the sheep and sometimes attack the shepherd. Scatter, and kill the sheep.
THE IMAGERY OF THE SHEPHERD IN JESUS’ TIME
The shepherd´s job in the steep and narrow plateau of Judea with the ground dipped sharply down to the craggy deserts was a very strenuous one.
1. First, he has to look for greener pastures, water, and safe zones to keep the sheep safe so they do not wander away.
3. There is also the human danger of thieves and robbers always ready to steal the sheep and sometimes attack the shepherd. Scatter, and kill the sheep.
4. There is a total and complete self-giving of the shepherd to the welfare of the sheep not for gain, but self-sacrifice of constant, unceasing vigilance, fearless courage, and patient love for his flock.
4. There is a total and complete self-giving of the shepherd to the welfare of the sheep not for gain, but self-sacrifice of constant, unceasing vigilance, fearless courage, and patient love for his flock.
5. The good shepherd must lay down his life, risk his life, and have pity and empathy for his sheep.
6. He must know the nature and characteristics of his sheep, their names, their foolishness, and their sheepish mentality despite them all. He must be ready for any eventuality to protect them with tenderness, care, and love.
8. They are less admired or appreciated by people, yet their work is indispensable in human society as the animals they care for provide milk, meat, clothes, income, and sustenance for all. d the animals.
FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS TO THE SHEPHERDS OR PASTORS AND THE SHEEP
1. Am I a faithful member of God’s flock?
2. How could I participate more closely in the work of shepherding God’s flock?
3. Am I a good, trustworthy, reliable, or cooperative sheep who heeds and follows the shepherd who guides, directs, or protects me either a layperson in the parish clergy in the church or a child in the family?
SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST, THE GOOD SHEPHERD OR PASTOR FOR US
e. A shepherd or a pastor must and should put the interest and wellbeing of the sheep before his. A robust sheep implies a diligent pastor or shepherd. Hence, it is contrary to the nature of the shepherd to be seen as robust and well-fed while his or her sheep are malnourished and miserable.
b. Equally, the concept of a good shepherd or good pastor implies also the notion of good sheep and good followers, who must identify, know, and follow the shepherd or pastor.
c. This image challenges our concept of a leader and leadership in today´s world be it in the church, or elsewhere. The concept of leader or leadership is not just to be powerful and authoritative as we have seen manifested today in religious, political, economic, or worldly life.
d. It is one of service and self-giving for other´s well-being. As pastors or parents or leaders, how close are you to the people you lead? How do we exercise the power and authority we have over them? Harshly or amicably?
e. A shepherd or a pastor must and should put the interest and wellbeing of the sheep before his. A robust sheep implies a diligent pastor or shepherd. Hence, it is contrary to the nature of the shepherd to be seen as robust and well-fed while his or her sheep are malnourished and miserable.
f. Finally, Jesus as the Gate to the sheepfold brings us to the reality of Christ as our only security of life and soul from the evil ones or impostors who pose as the shepherd but come to steal, kill, and destroy the sheep.
PASTURING REALITY OF OUR TIME
The biggest difference between a true shepherd and a hireling man is empathy and the spirit of sacrifice.
There is no doubt many a pastor today are embittered, disgruntled, as well as careless towards their flock.
Pastors whose “eye-services” of their care and love for the sheep are in the eyes of the media and social media rather than an authentic empathetic relationship of a pastor and a sheep.
Pastors who use the psychology of fear, God´s wrath anointing or divine mandate to terrorize, abuse, manipulate, intimidate, curse, and control the poor, innocent, and desperate masses in the name of God. Rather than spiritually uplifting their flock to a sense of spiritual consciousness and independence, growth, and development as Jesus the Good Shepherd did with souls searching for God. (John 3:1–21; 4:4–42)
It is also evidence many a pastor are distant, legalistic, and minimalistic with their love and care for their sheep. They are arm-chaired pastors from the comfort of their office dashing out orders and demands to agents of pastoral units without any encounter with the flock.
CHRIST IS THE GATEWAY AND GATEKEEPER
The beautiful images of Christ as a Gateway and a Gatekeeper point to Him as the Good Shepherd. Though the imagery of the good shepherd is old, the message is topical and relevant to us here and now.
Jesus Christ as a good shepherd gave his life for his sheep, knew them personally, and took care of them passionately. He does these without hidden motives or personal interests like the hired man.
BY IMPLICATION, CHRIST AS A GOOD SHEPHERD IS A MODEL OF A SHEPHERD OR PASTOR OF SOULS.
The priest in charge of a parish or who collaborates in a parish is called a pastor because “pastor” means shepherd. As a shepherd, he leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects Christ’s sheep, the people of the parish. In a nutshell, a good pastor, priest, or presbyter: – lives as Christ lived:
1. Have a personal not professional relationship with his flock
2. Gives or lays down his life sacrificially for his flock without living on them exploiting them or counting the cost or pain.
3. Know his flock personally and guide them on the right path Ps. 23
4. Look after the general well-being of his flock and ensure their security and safety.
5. His calling is voluntary/a true vocation, not a necessity to survive professionally through “priestcrafting”.
6. He lives an exemplary life for the flock to follow in his steps.
THE GOOD SHEPHERD IMPLICATIONS FOR PRIESTS AND PASTORS TODAY
Consequently, the Good Shepherd´s challenge to priests and pastors today working in the Lord´s vineyard is that there is no room for a power-drunk or authority-conscious priest or pastor who rather have control and dominance than delegate or collaborate ministry with his fellow priests or pastors.
A pastor should not see the priestly or pastorally ministry as a place of competition, envy, or jealousy among or with his fellows’ priests or pastors.
Collaborative pastors in the vineyard must know they are not rivals but collaborative pastors or priests with Christ, the Chief Shepherd of his Church.
It is not a matter of competition of who is more powerful, more famous or popular, more like by the people or parishioners but how is more disposed or reachable pastorally without legality or red-tape bureaucracies.
The good shepherd concept challenges the mentality of clericalism among pastors or priests who feel special or solicit special treatment as such from the flock.
Or that sometimes projects “godly” or unapproachable fear of the pastors by his flock. The shepherd-sheep relationship is not built on fear or clericalism but on mutual respect and love.
It also challenges their weaponizing of the sheep to be divided among their pastors or priests. Nor the mentality of divide and conquer, or division in the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 3: 1-23.
Many a pastor specialized in dividing the people of God against each other or their pastors just for selfish gain.
There is no room for unhealthy pastoral zealousness to be in charge or control of everything to the exclusion of other collaborative pastors, priests, or people.
A shepherd should not be a tyrant or dictator over co-shepherds for his frontline role in pasturing but an animator who helps them to give or become their best in pasturing.
Good Shepherd Sunday or Vocation Sunday is an opportunity to think and pray about the priestly ministry of the Catholic Church. As well as to examine the reasons why vocation to the priestly life is dwindling at rocket speed globally. And to pray for vocations as well as for pastors or priests entrusted by God to shepherd his flock: the Church of Christ.
IMPORTANCE OF TODAY’S CELEBRATION
Good Shepherd Sunday or Vocation Sunday is an opportunity to think and pray about the priestly ministry of the Catholic Church. As well as to examine the reasons why vocation to the priestly life is dwindling at rocket speed globally. And to pray for vocations as well as for pastors or priests entrusted by God to shepherd his flock: the Church of Christ.
OUR PRAYER THIS WEEK
Lord Jesus Christ, you the Gate, the Gatekeeper: the Good Shepherd in you there is life to its fullness in abundance, to you then, we commend our lives, our souls, and daily experiences at this present time. We beseech you to raise good pastors or shepherds who do not fleece, milk, or feed on your sheep or practice all sorts of priest-crafting on them but lay down their lives for their well-being, prosperity, and abundance. Help us to be a true shepherd and responsible sheep in the sheepfold of human society, Church, family, and parish groups. Amen
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