Gospel.John.10:1-10
The Good Shepherd image in the New Testament: In Palestine, the word “shepherd” was a synonym for selfless
love, sincerity, commitment, and sacrificial service. Hence, Jesus
selects it as the most fitting term to denote his life and mission (Mt 2:6,
9:36, 18:12-14, 26:31; Mk 6:34, 14:27; Lk 12:32, 15:4; I Pt 2:25, 5:2-4; Heb
13:20). The prophets pointed out the main duties of the Good Shepherd:
1) The Good Shepherd leads the sheep to the pasture, provides them with
food and water and protects them. In Palestine, the shepherd went in front
and the sheep followed behind. 2) He guarded them, not allowing them
to get lost in the desert or become victims of robbers and wild
animals – preventive vigilance. 3) He went in search of the lost ones
and healed their wounds – protective vigilance. 4) He was ready
to surrender his life for his sheep – redemptive vigilance.
In today’s Gospel Jesus compares himself to the Shepherd and to
the Gate. The first title represents His ownership because Shepherd is the true
owner of the sheep. The second title represents His leadership. Jesus is the
Gate, the only Way in or out. He is the One Mediator between God and mankind.
All must go through Him, through His Church, in order to arrive in Heaven. By
identifying Himself with the sheep-gate, Jesus gives the assurance that whoever
enters the pen through Him will be safe and well cared-for. Jesus is the living
Door to His Father’s house and Father’s family, the Door into the Father’s
safety and into the fullness of life. It is through Jesus, the Door, that we
come into the sheepfold where we are protected from the wolves of life. There
is safety and security in being a Christian. There is a spiritual, emotional
and psychological security and safety when we live within Jesus and his Church,
within the protectiveness of Christ, Christian friends and a Christian family.
What can we learn from today’s Gospel? We need to be good shepherds and good leaders: Everyone who is entrusted with the care of others is a
shepherd. Hence, pastors, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, government
officials, and caregivers, among others, are all shepherds. We become
good shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our
time, talents and blessings for their welfare, and guarding them from physical
and spiritual dangers. Parents must be especially careful of their duties toward
their children, giving them good example and sound religious instruction. Above
all, parents should pray for their children and, by living according to
sound Christian moral principles, show their children how to do the same.
We need to pray for good pastors and vocations. The Church uses this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations to
encourage vocations to the ministerial priesthood, the diaconate and the
consecrated life. All Christians need to share in the responsibility of
fostering these vocations: a) The faith community must continuously pray for
vocations both in the Church and in their families. b) Since good priests,
deacons and people embracing the consecrated life come from good Christian
families, all Christian parents need to live their faith in Christ on a daily
basis by leading exemplary lives as parents and by fostering good relationships
with, and among, their children. c) Parents need to respect and encourage a
child who shows an interest in becoming a priest or deacon or of entering upon
a consecrated life. Parents need to encourage their children, including their
teenagers and young adults, to participate actively in the children’s and youth
activities in the parish, like Sunday school, children’s clubs, and youth
associations.
Joke: Pastor’s vacation: It’s been said
that every pastor ought to have six weeks of vacation each year, because if he
is a really good shepherd, he deserves it; and if he is not a very good
shepherd, his congregation deserves it.
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