CHRIST: THE GOOD SHEPHERD LOVES AND CARES FOR US
The celebration of Christ as the Good Shepherd assures of an empathic Lord and Saviour who loves and cares about us. There is no more beautiful and consoling theme or readings for our current condition and situation of life than the theme of Risen Christ as our Good Shepherd. He is not only the Lord and Saviour of our life, hearts, soul, and body.
He is the Good Shepherd who laid his life down for us, but he also leads and guides us to healthy, ever-greener pastures and living running water and protects us from all harm, evil, and danger. Good Shepherd provides guides, leads, protects, cares and blesses our lives, our souls and our daily efforts.
Traditionally, the fourth Sunday after Easter is called the Good Shepherd Sunday when we pray for vocations to priestly and religious life. And by additional martial life, since the good shepherd role is also in the family. A good shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects and protects his flock—responsibilities that belong to every Church leader and head of family, group, society, community, institution, and country.
OUR THEME
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 of imitating 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.
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.
FIRST READING: ACTS 2:14, 36-41
In the first reading from Acts 2:14, 36-41, Apostle Peter, the chief shepherd after Christ preached the Crucified and Risen Christ to the assembly of Jews and Gentiles of all nations and called them to repentance and salvation.
The apostle and pastor Peter as a true shepherd of Christ’s flock entrusted in his care did not only bear testimony to the power of the Risen Christ. He spoke out the truth of Christ without fear or favour. Salvation in Christ Jesus is for only those who repent of their sins and profess faith in Christ.
Psalm 23, the Lord is my Shepherd drives home the lovely theme of today´s celebration. It is a prayerful psalm packed full of God´s providences, guidance, protection, defence, blessings and choicest favours on us who rely upon, trust and believe in Him.
SECOND READING: 1 PETER 2:20-25
In the second reading 1 Peter 2:20-25, St. Peter praises the early martyrs, who suffered persecution while trusting in Christ, the Good Shepherd. At the same time, he encourages us all to follow Christ’s exemplary living as a model of faith and commitment to God.
In the second reading, Peter encourages the suffering Christians to follow in the footsteps of their Good Shepherd, Jesus, the “suffering servant,” realizing the truth that Jesus’ suffering and death have enabled them to become more fully the children of God.
THE GOSPEL: JOHN 10:1-10
In the Gospel of John 10:1-10, Jesus declares himself as the Shepherd and the Gate to the sheepfold. They are powerful images that convey deeper meanings and significance of God´s presence, providence, guidance, protection, and intervention in our day-to-day life activities.
The Gospel offers us both comfort and a great challenge. The comforting message is that no one can snatch the sheep out of his Father’s hands. The challenge is that pastors and laypeople alike should be good shepherds to those entrusted to their care.
GOOD SHEPHERD IS A MODEL OF SHEPHERDING
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 take almost care of them passionately. He does these without hidden motives or personal interests like the hired man. John 10:11-18
By implication, Christ as a Good Shepherd is a Model of a shepherd or pastor of souls. A good pastor, priest or presbyter:-
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 or exploiting them or counting the cost or pain.
3. Know his flock personally and guide them on the right path Ps. 23
4. He is soft and tender towards the rebelling sheep and cares for them like the obedient ones.
5. Look after the general well-being of his flock and ensure their security and safety.
6. His calling is voluntary/a true vocation, not a necessity to survive professionally.
7. He lives an exemplary life for the flock to follow in his steps.
8. He leads and guides the sheep with truth, honesty and firmness and not with a conformities
FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS TO THE SHEPHERDS OR PASTORS AND THE SHEEP
As today we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday, we need to ask ourselves two important questions:
1. Am I a faithful member of God’s flock? Only those sheep who follow the guidance of the shepherd could ever hope to arrive at the green pastures or be safe from the ravenous wolves.
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 heed and follow the shepherd who guides, directs or protects me either a layperson in the parish or clergy in the church or a child in the family?
4. Bishops and pastors, as well as Sunday school teachers and ushers – all participate in various forms of shepherding God’s flock. How can I be a better shepherd in my state, reaching out with understanding and compassion to the weak and misguided dropouts of church and society, so that through me they may hear the loving voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd?
The Word of God invites and challenges us today to give our lives completely as shepherds in different capacities and endeavours to flock entrusted to us. This invitation obliges us to be true shepherds, Christians, priests or pastors to our brothers and sisters and not hired men with interests and secret motives.
THE SHEPHERD’S DUTIES
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.
2. He has to guide and protect the sheep from dangerous animals like wolves and hyenas howling day and night to attack, scatter, and kill the sheep.
3. There is also the human danger of thieves and robbers always ready to steal the sheep and sometimes attack the shepherd.
4. There is a total and complete self-giving of the shepherd to the welfare of the sheep not for gain, but self-sacrifice, 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 sheepish mentality and 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.
Consequently, the imagery of the shepherd paints a picture to us of the unceasing vigilance and patience of the love of God. With a deep message that should remind us of our duty towards our fellow men, especially if we hold any kind of office in the Church of Christ.
GOOD SHEPHERD IMPLIES GOOD SHEEP
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.
THE TWO IMPLICATIONS: LET US BECOME
1. Good shepherds and good leaders: pastors, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, and government by knowing and loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time and talents for their welfare, and guarding them against physical and spiritual dangers.
2. Good sheep, and good followers: parishioners, children, students, patients, and citizens by
a. hearing and following the voice of our shepherds through their homilies, Bible classes, counselling and advice
b. receiving the spiritual food our pastors provide by regular participation in the Holy Mass, frequenting the Sacraments and attending prayer services, renewal programs and missions
c. cooperating with our pastors by giving them positive suggestions for the welfare of the parish, encouraging them in their duties, lovingly offering them constructive criticism when they are found misbehaving or failing in their duties and by praying for them
d. cooperating with our fellow parishioners in the activities of various councils, ministries and parish associations.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Finally, let us pray for vocations to priestly, religious life and marital life so that we may have more good shepherds to lead, feed and protect the Catholic community.
Creator of the Universe, God of the Nations, Your people are longing to hear Your word. Send labourers into your harvest -women and men on fire with your love: Dedicated single people – who incarnate your presence in their daily lives, whose availability enables them to respond to a diversity of needs.
Married couples – whose relationships serve as a sign of your fidelity to your people, whose love overflows to their children and neighbours.
Ordained Ministers – who gather the prayers and longing of your people who serve as a channel of your presence through the sacraments.
Religious sisters, brothers, and priests – whose life in community foreshadows our eternal unity in Christ, whose service brings your life to the world.
May each of us respond with courage and generosity to our particular vocations, and may the Church recognize the Spirit’s call to men and women of goodwill, trusting in your abundance to answer all our needs. Amen.
One important note is that while we pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, religious life and martial life, the foundation of all vocations, we must acknowledge that the call to be shepherd goes beyond the mere functional role as priests, religious, parents or leaders of societies, groups or states.
It is a call of sacrifices to serve, to know, to love, to protect, to guide, to secure, to commit and to provide for those in our care and not the other way round of feeding, exploiting and surviving on them with ostentatious living and lifestyle in the name of booming ministry.
May the Lord help us to understand and take to heart that a true shepherd is the poor one like Christ your Son, who has no place to lay his head, yet gave in all to enrich his flock in grace and wellbeing!
SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST, THE GOOD SHEPHERD OR PASTOR FOR US
a. A shepherd or a pastor much and should put the interest and well-being 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 others´ 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 much 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 or 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.
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 is no room for a power-drunk or authority-conscious priest or pastor who rather has control and dominance than delegated or collaborative 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.
As 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 project “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.
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.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Good Shepherd of our faith, may we become good followers by listening to your voice, and your inspirations and following your direction and indications to us through the Scripture, the Church and the Christian community or family; as well as imitating you to be good shepherds in or various responsibilities and communities. Amen
