Today is traditionally called Good Shepherd Sunday. As shepherd, Jesus feeds his Church through the apostolic ministry namely in his Word and Sacraments.
The first reading is a continuation of last week’s and it goes on to indicate the response of those who heard Peter on the day of Pentecost. The response that preaching evokes is “What shall we do?” Therefore “When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other Apostles, “Brothers what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). The response of Peter was a call to repentance; an acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and Messiah. This means that repentance in this context means not merely sorrow for past individual sins, but a radical reassessment of Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah.
Repentance will be followed by Baptism which presupposes the forgiveness of their sins. Baptism is the event in and through which converts are brought into the sphere of the salvation that Jesus brings. Above all, they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which makes us adopted sons and daughters of God; a mark of God’s ownership on us.
Baptism gives us the opportunity to recognise the voice of the Good Shepherd. The image that John uses in the Gospel reading today has a lot of implications for leaders in all spheres of life and those who are being led.
Firstly, Jesus’ sermon grew out of his confrontation with the Jews leaders following the excommunication of the blind beggar from the synagogue (in Greek apo synagogus John 9). As a good shepherd, Jesus tells them “… Anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit” (John 10:1). The false shepherds are the Jewish leaders who did not care about the man. But Jesus, the Good Shepherd came in and took him in (John 9:35-38).
Jesus the Good Shepherd knows every sheep true and true for, “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3). It is consoling to know that Jesus knows everybody by name. Just imagine the world’s population of about six (6) billion people and he knows you by name no matter where you are. Jesus loves us all and if only we will heed his voice, our lives will be like a watered garden; our peace will be like a river and our righteousness like the waves of the sea (Isaiah 48:18).
In our culture, a shepherd is always behind the sheep, but in the case of the Good Shepherd “When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them and the sheep follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:4). This implies that the Good Shepherd takes the initiative to lead his sheep to greener pasture. He single handedly shoulders any obstacles on the way and allows the sheep to move in freedom and tranquility.
Secondly, Jesus’ sermon goes to those who are being led. It is only the sheep who knows his voice who follow him. As Jesus leads us to freedom and life, it is only those who allow themselves to be led who find true freedom. The work of shepherding God’s flocks is an ongoing task that is entrusted to the whole church with Peter as head. As today we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday, we need to ask ourselves an important question: 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.
The only voice we know is the voice of Jesus himself because he made us. Just as every child knows the voice of his parents, so are we accustomed toJesus’ voice. When we fail to listen to the voice of Jesus, our ears will be itching to hear something else that will lead us into temptation.
Some few years back, I was teaching the Sunday school kids on Good Shepherd Sunday. I told them that the Parish Priest (Father) was the shepherd and the members of his congregation were the sheep including them. I, then put this question to them: “What does the shepherd do for the sheep?” A little fine looking boy in the front row raised his hands and answered, “He fleeces them.” True enough, shepherds go into the business for the purpose of fleecing, milking and feeding on the sheep. But when the Bible speaks of the leaders of God’s people as shepherds, it envisions leaders who feed, protect and feel with the people as a good shepherd does for his flock.
How could I participate more closely in the work of shepherding God’s flock? Bishops and pastors, as well as Sunday school teachers, Catechists, parents and the like – all participate in various forms of shepherding God’s flock. How can I be a better shepherd in my own 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 Second reading reminds us that through his suffering, Jesus bore all our infirmities, our afflictions and worries. He is indeed the shepherd and guardian of our souls. He is indeed our shepherd there is nothing we shall want.
In sum, a shepherd presupposes a relationship. Baptism is that door. It disposes us to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. Jesus not only gave his life for us, but he gives his life to us right now because he came that we may have life and have it abundantly. As shepherds in our various capacities, our job is to give life. I doff my heart out to all who have remained faithful to their calling as shepherds. To those who have been a disgrace to the role of shepherding should live above reproach and assume their roles effectively. For those who are being led, pray for a docile heart to remain close to Jesus, the Good Shepherd
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment