The Good Shepherd

04-26-2026Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The Gospel is always from Jn. 10:1-10, although some scripture scholars extend the discourse up to verse 18, The Good Shepherd’s Discourse. Jesus uses two common shepherding images: the “sheep gate” and the “shepherd.” Through these, He alludes to Himself. The “Shepherd” image is easy to understand. Like a good shepherd, Jesus protects, nourishes, guides, and leads His flock to the green pasture.

We rejoice knowing we are under the personal care of The Good Shepherd.

Transitioning from the image of the Shepherd, Jesus also refers to Himself as the "sheep gate." This image is used to protect the sheep from wild animals and thieves at night. In Jesus' time, shepherds gathered their flocks into a single sheepfold with one entrance. Shepherds took turns guarding the sheep. They act- ed as gatekeepers, allowing entry and exit for other shepherds. The shepherd knows whose sheep are in the fold. All shepherds pass through the gate; thieves pass through the fence. Thieves come only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. Real shepherds are there to protect and care for the sheep.

Building on this, the shepherd’s voice is also unique; the sheep recognize their true shepherd’s voice. Not only that, but the sheep also know their shepherd, and the shepherd knows his sheep by name. They hear the voice of their shepherd - his voice echoes in their ear, like the voice of the Good Shepherd that echoes in the heart of His sheep. It is the gentle and steady voice of a friend, sometimes piercing the heart and conscience; it is the voice of truth that leads the way to life. Like the voice of Peter’s spirit-filled preaching on Pentecost in the 1st reading. They realized they were hearing the voice of the Divine Shepherd speaking through Peter, the appointed human shepherd of the Church.

In light of these images, if we are faithful sheep, we should hear the voices of the Good Shepherds even in this digital age. We must listen attentively and with all humility. We can hear the voice of the Good Shepherd in Scriptures, in the teaching of the Church, in the guidance of wise and true shepherds, and in our daily life, with all its opportunities and possibilities.

The 2nd reading adds how to follow the Good Shepherd: be patient when suffering for doing what is good and right. Christ suffered for us as an example. He shows us how to follow His lead. The Good Shepherd leads by example, opening the way to a new life of happiness, peace, love, and sacrifice. The pasture He promises is Eternal Life. “He guides me in the right paths… Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for the years to come.” Let us, therefore, walk confidently with the Good Shepherd, trusting in His guidance, and embracing His call to love, knowing that He leads us home to lasting peace and fulfillment.