John 10, 11-18.
This Sunday is called Good Shepherd Sunday, and is a Day of Prayer for Vocations in the world-wide church. The image of shepherd is frequently applied to God in his relationship with Israel in the Old Testament (Ps 23; Ezek 34 ), and often applied also to the kings of Israel. This text of John is particularly influenced by Ezek 34, where the kings of Israel failed to look after the flock (the people of Israel), but instead, abandoned, neglected, and led it astray, and into danger. God promised to come and shepherd his scattered sheep, to feed the hungry, bandage the injured, and carry the lame home on his shoulders. This prophecy was fulfilled in the life, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the good shepherd of Israel, who came that they may have life and have it to the full (John 10,10). He is prepared to lay down his life for his sheep. Unlike the hired man, who has no real concern for the sheep, Jesus doesn’t run away when danger threatens the sheep. He is totally devoted to them.
He exemplifies a completely new model of shepherding, unique to John’s gospel. He knows his sheep intimately and they know him, just as the Father knows him and he knows the Father. He is the good shepherd because he lays down his life for his sheep; an essential requirement for being the good shepherd.
Jesus is also the shepherd who reaches out to other sheep who do not belong to the flock. These are the Gentiles who will come to believe in him. The Greeks (gentiles) asked to see Jesus just before the Passion story begins, (12,20), indicating that a new direction in his ministry is about to begin, through his death and resurrection. They too will listen to his voice and become a part of the one flock shepherded by him.
The Father’s love for Jesus the shepherd is founded on Jesus’ willingness to lay down his life for his sheep, for this was the command that he received from the Father. Jesus does not speak here of his love for his Father, (as in 14,31, only), but he proves this love by doing what the Father’s wants him to do – to lay down his life and take it up again -dying on the cross and rising again, for his sheep.
Today, we pray, especially, for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and for the laity in the church to play an ever- greater part in the mission and life of the church. Jesus laid down his life, gave everything for his flock. We are asked to give a part of our time, our talents, and our treasure, in spreading the good news of gospel in our world. Some people in our time give everything, including their lives, in imitation of Jesus the good shepherd.
Blessed John Henry Newman reminds each of us that: “God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission.” What mission do you feel called to, and what we are doing about it?
Fr Geoff O’Grady