This Sunday’s Gospel presents us with one of the most beloved images in the Bible, the image of the Shepherd. All throughout the scriptures we read about shepherds keeping watch over their sheep. The most beautiful image of a shepherd for me is Jesus carrying a lamb over his shoulders. In doing so he is seen as a good shepherd. Good coming from the Greek word “kalos” meaning noble or kind or just. Having recused his sheep, Jesus is viewed as a hero and as one who was willing to sacrifice for his sheep. How often have we seen a father carry his son or daughter on his shoulders with great love and care, like Jesus the Good Shepherd. We are told some shepherds are not as dedicated as fathers especially if they were hired. They are not as invested in the flock. Good shepherds watch over their sheep day and night - establishing a bond with them.
We read in the Old Testament that many biblical figures were shepherds, among them are the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob and the prophets Moses, Amos and King David As a young boy David told King Saul not to lose heart or become discouraged with who he could send into battle with Goliath, telling King Saul that he would fight him but Saul warns him saying: “You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight him, you are only a youth while he has been a warrior since his youth” but David tells Saul
“Your servant used to tend his father’s sheep and whenever a lion or bear came to - carry off - a sheep from the flock, I would chase after it and attack it and snatch the prey from its mouth. If it attacked me, I would seize it by the throat, strike and kill it. Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. The philistine… has insulted the armies of the living God. The same God who saved me from the lion and bear - will save me from the Philistine. King Saul then approves of David and sends him with God’s blessings. Even before he was King - young David understood what it meant to be a Good Shepherd - to be ready to attack the enemy and be willing to give up his life - for his sheep
Jesus is that same kind of shepherd, but not just a shepherd who would fight for you, but also a shepherd who would - search for you. It’s easy for someone to wander in the wrong direction, even those who have always been faithful to God but for some reason find themselves lost, but Jesus always seeks them out and extends his love to them and his sheep - will always remember his kindness
I came across a story - about a man who was seen - cleaning a gravestone in the early hours of the morning - in the pouring rain - poorly clothed - his shirt having numerous tares in it. He was cleaning the tomb of Arc Bishop Oscar Romero. As he was walking away from the monument a man approached him and asked why he was doing that His response was because he was like a father to me. He then said:
As a young man, I was living on the streets. Sometimes I’d be able to get a job working in the market. Sometimes I would use it on food but sometimes I would spend it on alcohol - and I’d end up drunk lying in the street, but he would never abandon me and make me feel worthless, but - he would talk to me - and encourage me - and ask how I was doing. You could see in his eyes that he cared - as parents love their children. That’s why I clean his tomb, because that’s what children do for their parents. Now listen to the words from our 2nd reading that the poor man’s words seem to emulate: ‘See what love the father has bestowed on us - that we may be called children of God Yet, so we are. The reason the world does not know us is because it did not know him’ Beloved we are God’s children now - what we shall be - has not yet been revealed We do know - when it is revealed we shall be like him.
The poor man said the reason he cleaned the tomb of the good bishop was because he was like a father to him and that’s what children do for their parents and because of their love - God’s love will be revealed to them one day by allowing them to become like him. Now that is an Amazing promise; We are told in sacred scripture that what- ever we do - for the least of our brothers and sisters - we do for him. These words make todays Gospel even more powerful as we read: “I am the good shepherd. I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” Just as the Good Shepherd knows his sheep, the Good bishop knew the poor man and the poor man knew him
What I also find interesting in today’s Gospel is what Jesus says about the sheep that do not belong to the fold as He states: “These also I must lead they will hear my voice and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” In other words, Jesus is going after everyone and for this reason you and I need to be aware of just how important it is for us to be listening for his voice, who day and night is calling us and seeking us out. So when we pray how often are we listening to what God may be saying to us or what God may be “asking us” to do? Jesus always listens to his father.
Jesus says the Father loves him because he is willing to lay down his life for his sheep and that - no one - takes his life from him but that he gives it up willingly - on his own. He has the power to lay down his life and he has the power to take it up again. Jesus gave himself to us freely by willingly becoming scourged and crucified for us.
Jesus cares about everyone - but especially - the poor and the wounded and the lost. Evidence of this is on every page in the scriptures. Even Jesus followers understood what it meant to make sacrifices for others and expressing acts of kindness to others
Everything is not - all about us - or we don’t know anything about what the Gospels are trying to tell us but it’s all about helping others. If you think everything is about you, then you’re not a good shepherd - In fact - you’re not even a good sheep. The Gospels constantly remind us that “whatever you do for the least of our brothers and sisters - we do for him”
Sometime today - Look at the people around you, your family, your friends, the people standing closest to you - Who are you willing - to be a good shepherd too? Anyone who claims to be a Christian and has no concern about the people around him is like a lamp - unable to fulfill its purpose - because it is unable - to give off any light – your purpose as a Christian – is to have concern for the people around you.
Be Good Christians and you will be Good Shepherds by making God’s love known to everyone around you. Listen to his voice, respond to his call, live your life for others The most beloved image in the Bible is the image of the Good shepherd. Be that image.