Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

The Scripture readings of our Mass today remind us that God loves us and cares for us, tenderly and immensely and call us to respond to his love by loving others as he loves us.. The first reading speaks of the apostles witnessing to the risen Lord in “spirit-filled” relationship and calling people to universal love and fellowship. The responsorial Psalm celebrates the universal love of God. The author of the second reading tells us that we are God’s very dear and beloved children and that his love is universal, “all-embracing love” and not just for a few specially chosen people.   The Gospel proclaims Jesus as the good and caring Shepherd who knows us, loves us, leads us and lays down his life for us.

 

The image of the shepherd reflects a very caring, protective, selfless, self-sacrificing and enduring relationship. The good shepherd knows and is known by the sheep. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep because he loves, cherishes and values the sheep. This image of the shepherd reveals the unfailing vigilance and self-sacrificing love of God for us in Jesus.

 

Our good shepherd, Jesus, in laying down his life for us, secured our safety and our salvation. Let us be grateful. We have a good shepherd in Jesus! It is through Jesus that we find access to God. In and through Jesus we have a new sense of security and safety. Jesus came so that we may have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

 

After the resurrection of Jesus, Peter recalled one of the oldest images of God as “shepherd” of souls. At the time of Jesus, the sheep had to graze in the narrow central plateau without protecting walls, where grass was sparse. The shepherd had to be ceaselessly and sleeplessly on the watch to protect the sheep from harm. This image of the shepherd reveals the unfailing vigilance and self-sacrificing love of God for us.

 

Peter also used the image of God as “guardian” of our souls. The word “guardian”, “Episkopos” in Greek, was a noble word meaning, protector, guide, director, overseer, administrator and guardian. God is presented as the shepherd and guardian of our souls.

 

The Psalmist proclaimed, “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23). Now we can proclaim it even more boldly because Jesus said of himself that he was the good shepherd who was ready to lay down his life for us. The good shepherd spares no pains for the welfare of the sheep. We can look to our good shepherd with absolute confidence and devotion.

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To read more of this Sunday’s reflection, please click on the link below...