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 for 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 the Good Shepherd, different from the hired shepherds who have no genuine concern for the flock. The Good Shepherd is willing to give His life for the sheep, freely and willingly. Unlike the hired shepherds, who gave their service not for free but for a fee. Often, they do not have a genuine concern for the flock but are there for the money. What we need in our society are good shepherds who have the heart to serve not for a fee but for free. One with a deep love for the sheep, ready to die rather than lose a sheep.

The Good Shepherd sacrificing His life for a sheep makes no sense to many. Jesus sacrificing His life for us also make no sense for unbelievers. But the image of a self-sacrificing shepherd shows His great love for us. His sacrifice is 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 greater than caring for the 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 His love is a GIFT given freely, not because we deserve it or have done something to earn it. Because that is His nature, the 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. His sheep hear His voice, recognize, and follow their Shepherd - between them exists a close relationship. 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 a 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.

Today, Jesus tells us the importance of listening and recognizing His voice. The sheep hear the voice of the Shepherd, recognize His voice, and follow Him. To be a disciple, it’s imperative for the sheep to hear, listen, and follow the voice of The Shepherd.

Because we have a Good Shepherd, all of us, His sheep, can hope for salvation through Him, 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. (Act. 4:12) Jesus is the Good Shepherd that unites us in one flock: He is the Son who made possible our becoming adopted children of the Father.

Good Shepherd, may we recognize Your voice as You speak to us every moment of our life, and help us to become like You, a SHEPHERD with a Heart.

 

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