Fourth Sunday of Easter

(4/21/2024) Gospel Reading: John 10:11-18

 

“I Am the Good Shepherd”

 

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;

I know my sheep, and mine know me.

 

From the desk of Fr. Leo Alban Asuncion

     Years ago, in North Dakota, a young married couple went in for sheep-raising on a large scale. They really like sheep. Coming one day upon the flock as they were riding in their brand-new station wagon, they were horrified to see the sheep in a pile-up. This easily happens when the first row falls into a ditch or trench and those following keep piling on top of those beneath, killing several and maiming many others. With one swift action the young couple dashed into their midst, flung the sheep on top aside, and opening the doors of the new station-wagon, placed the wounded sheep on the newly covered seats. It mattered little to them that the seats became a mess of blood and dirt. What mattered was the life of their sheep. For they love their sheep.      

     A remarkable trait of a genuine shepherd is that he or she is ready to face any danger, even death itself to ward off harm to every and any one of his or her sheep. This is because they are his or her own, and he or she has them at heart. David related to King Saul how he would go after a bear or a lion that came to carry off a sheep from the flock, attack it and kill it while rescuing the helpless sheep. Truly sheep are very helpless creatures. They need the constant care of a watchful eye, and guidance day after day. If one gets lost by lagging the flock, the shepherd or shepherdess spares no effort to go and find it, because he or she has concern for each one of the flocks. They are very dear to his or her heart. The one interest of the hired person is his or her salary. In the face of danger, he or she takes to his or her heels. The Lord Jesus depicts himself in this appealing image of the Good Shepherd. To save us from eternal death, he was willing to give up the joy of life when his manhood was at its best. He met the enemy head-on, and although the struggles were fierce so that it forced the blood from his pores in the garden of Gethsemani, yet he rose to shoulder his cross manfully and went to the ignominious death of a Roman pagan crucifixion. But death had no hold on him, for he rose glorious and triumphant. By his death he broke down all the barriers between peoples and nations, so that all who are baptized are incorporated into his Body-Person, so close are they to him. He cares for them individually and leads them invariably to their eternal goal, while watching over them in all the phases of their earthly life.                

     One must be quite hardened in heart not to be touched by this exquisite love of the Good Shepherd for the sheep. It is not difficult not to let oneself be guided by his all-powerful hand and tended by his mighty love. Even when we fail, he goes in search of the lost sheep and brings it back with tender care. Who else had laid down his life for us but he?

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Meditation: Do you know the peace and security of the Good Shepherd who watches over his own? The Old Testament often speaks of God as 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).

Jesus is the Good Shepherd and Guardian of our souls
Jesus made three promises to his followers. He promised them everlasting life. If they accept him and follow him, they will have the life of God in them. Jesus also promised them a life that would know no end. Death would not be the end but the beginning; they would know the glory of indestructible life. Jesus promised a life that was secure. Jesus said that nothing would snatch them out of his hand, not even sorrow and death, since he is everlasting life itself. Our lives are safe in his hands.

Do you listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd who calls you to himself?
The words which Jesus spoke upset many of the Jewish leaders. How could he speak with the same authority which God spoke and claim to be equal with God? He must either be insane or divine. Unfortunately some thought he was mad even though he cured a man who was blind from birth. We are faced with the same choice. Either Jesus is who he claims to be - the Son of God and Savior of the world - or the world's greatest deluder! We cannot be indifferent to his claim. For those who accept him as Lord and Savior he offers the peace and security of unending life and joy with God. Do you know the peace and security of a life fully submitted to Christ?

Cyril of Alexander, a 5th century church father comments on Jesus as our Good Shepherd:

"He shows in what manner a shepherd may be proved good; and He teaches that he must be prepared to give up his life fighting in defense of his sheep, which was fulfilled in Christ. For man has departed from the love of God, and fallen into sin, and because of this was, I say, excluded from the divine abode of paradise, and when he was weakened by that disaster, he yielded to the devil tempting him to sin, and death following that sin he became the prey of fierce and ravenous wolves. But after Christ was announced as the True Shepherd of all men, He laid down his life for us (1 John 3:16), fighting for us against that pack of inhuman beasts.

"He bore the Cross for us, that by His own death he might destroy death. He was condemned for us, that He might deliver all of us from the sentence of punishment: the tyranny of sin being overthrown by our faith: fastening to the Cross the decree that stood against us, as it is written (Colossians 2:14). Therefore as the father of sin had as it were shut up the sheep in hell, giving them to death to feed on, as it is written in the psalms (Ps. Xlviii.16), He died for us as truly Good, and truly our Shepherd, so that the dark shadow of death driven away He might join us to the company of the blessed in heaven; and in exchange for abodes that lie far in the depths of the pit, and in the hidden places of the sea, grant us mansions in His Father's House above. Because of this he says to us in another place: Fear not, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you a kingdom (Luke 12:32)."

Do you listen attentively to the voice of the Good Shepherd and obey his word?

Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who keeps watch over our lives. May I be ever attentive to your voice and submit fully to your wise rule for my life. Draw me near to you that I may always find peace and joy in your presence.

   read more at: http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org

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