Following the Shepherd

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Reflecting on the Word

By Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.

At the end of the day, shepherds would bring their sheep to a common sheep fold, leading them through a gate that was guarded during the night. Shepherds  would give names to their sheep and call to them when daylight came, leading  them back out to pasture. Because the sheep recognized the shepherd’s voice  there was no mix-up with sheep that belonged to others. 

The idea that shepherds had a name for each of their sheep brings home the  difference between a good shepherd and a stranger. The good shepherd was  concerned not only for the flock but for each sheep in it. He knew them and they  knew him. “They will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because  they do not recognize the voice of strangers” (John 10:5). 

There are two words in Greek for “good”—agathos and kalos. Agathos refers to  moral goodness, as in being a “good person.” Kalos refers to being “good at”  something. Certainly Jesus is the Good Shepherd in both senses, but the word  used here is kalos, emphasizing his being “good at” shepherding. 

Jesus knows his sheep by name, leads them to safety when darkness falls, and  returns them to pasture. He was willing to lay down his life for them. Most comforting of all, he came then and comes now so we might have life and have it more  abundantly. This image challenges all who have been called to be shepherds in  today’s church, to be good shepherds and to be good at shepherding. 

Consider/Discuss

  • What does the image of Jesus as the good shepherd say to you in  your life? 
  • What does the promise of “abundant life” mean for you? 
  • Have you come to know the difference between the voice of the  good shepherd and the voice of “a stranger”? 

Responding to the Word

Jesus, our shepherd, not only cares and searches us out, but he “bore our sins  in his body upon the cross so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness”  (1 Peter 2:24). We praise the Father for giving us Jesus as “the shepherd and  guardian of our souls” and we pray for all who have taken up ministering to God’s  people.

Living the Word logo

Copyright © 2021, 2020, 2019, 2012, 2011, 2010 World Library Publications, a div. of GIA Publications, Inc. www.giamusic.com
All rights reserved. Used by permission.