The Good Shepherd

Probably one of the most ancient, and certainly the most popular, images of Jesus is as the Good Shepherd.  While St. John describes Jesus as the living bread, the vine, and living water, the shepherd motif is something that we can relate to.  Might I suggest it is the parental nature of the image.  Even as adults we want the nurturing and nourishing that our parents offer us.  I notice junior high age children at Mass, who will lean into their moms and dads. We all want that same level of comfort and compassion.

Throughout the ministry of Jesus he demonstrates his shepherding ability.  He goes into homes, synagogues, and on street corners and   proclaims good news.  Jesus listens to the stories of people who are in pain and socially forgotten.  He brings healing to the hurting and compassion and peace to those who are broken.  In a very real way Jesus exercises care and compassion for all people.

Yet like any good shepherd he guides the sheep along right paths.  When his disciples become too full of themselves, he teaches them about the cross.  He challenges his hearers to live beyond simply following rules and regulations, and to live at a higher 'level' of life.  This ongoing call to conversion and discipleship is encouraged and blessed along the way as Jesus invites his disciples to a life of holiness.  More so, as he washes the feet of the disciples he reminds them, and us, that we must carry out his mission and ministry.

We do that in the Church.  The Bishops are our shepherds, and with the clergy to help them, they are to share the Good News into the corners of the earth.  The image of the shepherd reminds us that we all have a responsibility to share our faith as well as to nurture one another.  Persons who encounter our Church, or those that are disciples today, should have an experience of the Good Shepherd.

St. John will tell us quite plainly today that we are sons and daughters of God.  His holy people.  We are gathered together by a shepherd who will leave ninety-nine sheep in the wasteland, so as to seek one who is lost.  Because of our Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, we have an intimate relationship with God.  There is a worth and value about us that cannot be removed.  That should teach us something about how we respond to God for all that we have received, and how we relate to others who are blessed by the Good Shepherd.