4th Sunday of Easter: The Good Shepard

04-25-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

The first three Sundays of Easter bring us back to the days after the resurrection and deepen our understanding of the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb. What does it mean to us? The Gospel brings us back to the early days of the ministry of Jesus. John uses one of the common occupations to describe His mission. Jesus describes Himself as a Good Shepherd who lays down His life from His sheep. Such is the image we reflect on Good Shepherd Sunday. Our Easter journey continues knowing that we are in the watchful care of the Divine Shepherd.

Jesus identifies Himself as a shepherd, but a Good Shepherd different from the hired shepherds who do not have a genuine concern for the flock. A Shepherd who is willing to give His life for the sheep, freely and willingly. On the other hand, a hired shepherd gives His service not for free but for a fee. Often, the hired shepherds do not have a genuine concern for the flock but are there for the money. What we need in our society is a good shepherd whose heart is to serve not for a fee but for free. One who has a deep love for the sheep, ready to die rather than lose a sheep.

The sacrificing of life for a sheep may make no sense for many. Jesus sacrificing His life for us also makes no sense for unbelievers. But the image of a selfsacrificing shepherd shows His great love of us. His sacrifice is the proof of that love for us. That while we are yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8)

Divine love is truly the love of the Father to His children, An Extraordinary Love. St. John speaks of this love as something much greater than the shepherd’s care for his sheep. God is love. (1 Jn. 4:8) The Father bestowed His love for us by allowing us to be called His children. Reflecting on this, we realize that His love is a pure gift, given to us freely, not because we deserve it or have done something to earn it. Because that is His nature, as a Father loves His children because they are His children, the love of God the Father is Jesus. God so loved the world that He sent us His only begotten Son.

A Good Shepherd knows His sheep, and the sheep know Him. Meaning, there exists a close and intimate relationship between the shepherd and the sheep. A good shepherd must be in touch with His sheep. As we say, someone who is online 24/7. Pope Francis describes this as smelling like the sheep. A good shepherd does not mind smelling like His sheep. He is generous with His time and His talents. He removes all the barriers for the sheep to approach him.

Because we have a Good Shepherd, all of us, His sheep, can hope for salvation in Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as a ransom for our sins. He is our only salvation. There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved. Jesus is the Good Shepherd that unites us in the one flock: He is the Son who made possible our becoming adopted children of the Father. Praise be the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd.