The Good Shepherd
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day of Prayer for Vocations because of the readings that focus on the image of Jesus as a Good Shepherd, as the gospel acclamation proclaims, "I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me." Let us reflect and attune our minds and hearts to this Good Shepherd. Our readings for today describe the Good Shepherd as the one who provides, plans, and protects his flock.
First, the Good Shepherd provides for his flock. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, provides the temporal and everlasting goods we need. He feeds us in every way. He feeds us temporarily as we "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you." He also feeds us with His word, which enables us to know the fullness of life and to live in the fullness of truth. He feeds us ultimately by the gift of Himself in the Eucharist, in His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. His words are an assurance that He always hears our prayers and supplications, for He is a good provider Who knows what is the best for us.
Second, the Good Shepherd plans for his flock. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, plans the footsteps and endeavors of his sheep. The whole gospel narrates his plan to safeguard his flock. "I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture." As He plans for our welfare, He identifies those dangers and persons that could harm us. Even before we are formed in our mother’s womb, Our Good Shepherd declares, "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." He knows what we are going through, for He is the Good Shepherd who plans for his flock.
Third, the Good Shepherd protects his flock. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, protects us from things that could harm us. Jesus tells us very clearly that there are "thieves and marauders" who are seeking to fleece, milk, kill, cook, and consume us. Against those who come "only to steal, kill, and destroy," Jesus sets himself up as our protection, as the gate to the sheepfold, so that, essentially, in order to get to us, they first need to go through Him. To protect us, he was not only willing to die for us but actually did die for us. "The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep," he tells us later in his Good Shepherd Discourse. "No one takes my life from me. I freely lay it down." This is why we can act on his words, "Be not afraid!" because he himself will protect us from everything that can eternally harm us, provided that we stay in his fold.
Thus we can say with trust and confidence, as we pray in today’s Psalm, "Even though I walk in the darkest valley—and some of us have been in that dark valley!—I fear no evil, for he is at my side with his rod and his staff to comfort me." Today, in the midst of the crumbles and stumbles of life, we thank him for that protection and renew that trust. Keeping in our hearts the words of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, "I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."
