I Know My Sheep
Acts 13:14, 43-52; Rev 7:9,14b-17; John 10:27-30
How often are you identified with a number? At the bank you have account numbers, PIN numbers to access your accounts, and credit card numbers. The IRS identifies you by your social security number. When you enquire about your power or phone bill the first thing you are asked is, "What is your customer number?" When you go to the deli department at ShopRite you’re required to pick up a number and will be served when your number is called. On internet sites you need usernames and passwords. And we could go on.
Numbers are so impersonal. Isn’t it nice when someone remembers your name, or when you’re known by name rather than by a customer account number? Isn’t it refreshing in today’s society to be personally known, recognized, appreciated, as an individual, for the person we are?
Today’s gospel reading from John is the shortest passage from scripture that the Church gives for our reflection at mass in our three year cycle of readings. Yet, although only three verses long, it probably is the most consoling and the most reassuring words in all of Sacred Scripture. And how fitting that we hear them this Sunday, after such a disturbing week in our nation. We hear Jesus speak words that tell us that he is a Good Shepherd who cares for us, is interested in what is happening in our lives, who empathizes and encourages us. It assures us of the care, guidance, and presence of a loving God.
Jesus speaks to us of the Shepherd's voice today. It is a voice of promise. It is a voice that promises stubborn protection and care. It is the voice the flock hears and knows and follows. It is the voice which is especially precious in times of tragedy or struggle and pain. And it is one we sometimes have to work hard to hear when other voices especially seem to drown it out. And yet even when those other voices overwhelm, yes even when we don't pause to listen, it is always there, inviting and comforting and urging us on. Jesus says, "My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands, and I am one with the Father" (John 10:27-30).
Artists have taken up this theme and pictured Jesus holding a lamb, or carrying a lamb on his shoulders, or watching over sheep. Jesus is the one who cares, the one who saves the lost, and rescues from trouble. He is the one who is intimately and individually concerned about each one of his sheep. He provides his sheep with everything they need. He is the one whose staff and rod defend the sheep if any danger should come their way. We are led to think of what would have happened to a lost lamb if Jesus did not rescue it. Even if that lamb was wild and independent of all help, the shepherd doesn’t give up. The image of the Good Shepherd is one of love, care, protection, intimacy and closeness.
The sheep depended on the shepherd. They gladly followed him because they knew he could be trusted because he lived among his sheep, slept among them, walked with them, fed them, guided, directed and protected them, knew each sheep by name. All this builds up a mental image of someone with an intense love for our total well-being at every turn of our life. This is a description of how Jesus feels about each one of us. Big business thinks of us as a number. Jesus knows us by name.
By using this shepherd imagery Jesus is connecting himself to the Old Testament imagery that we read of in Psalm 23. The writer refers to the Lord as my shepherd. There nothing else I need. I will not be afraid be. You are close beside me.
No doubt there are times when it seems that Jesus is a million miles away. We have prayed for help in times of sickness and the pain is as intense as ever. We have asked him to guide us through some difficult decisions but we have blundered on making one mistake after another. We have wanted him to watch over our loved ones, but they have still been caught up in trouble and bad decisions. But the fact is Jesus hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s right here with us. He knows what is happening in our lives. He knows what is going through our minds and how restless and anxious we are - he will use his power to help and support us. Jesus’ promise is good even when we are doubting and despairing. Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice." And that voice is never far off or distant from us. It is heard in the preaching and teaching of the Church, in the scriptures, in prayer, through the witness of faithful Christians, and in the events of human life,
Even though we are down and almost out, we are assured that we are in the arms of the everlasting shepherd who lovingly supports and strengthens us in our weakest and most painful moments. Like the lamb that is often pictured in Jesus’ arms, we can be at peace and feel safe in the arms of our loving shepherd.
This reminds me of a passage from the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament where the people are in trouble and ask, "Has God forgotten us"? God answers, "Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for a child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on my hand" Isaiah 49:15-16). Those words are just as applicable to us today as they were three thousand years ago. God feels the same way about us as he did back then. He even gave his life for the sheep.
This Fourth Sunday of Easter is called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Today, as we reflect on Jesus in his role as the Good Shepherd, we think about the need for Good Shepherds for the local communities scattered throughout the world in towns and villages. We think about our need for priests, good priests, priests who will lead us and serve us and bring us the sacraments. But this passage about the Good Shepherd has implications for all of us who are followers of Jesus. We are challenged to share his concern for those who are in trouble, for those who suffer injustice, for the sick and for the poor. It is not good enough for us to say to those suffering "You should trust in Jesus to make things work out for you." As his followers, we share the same concerns as he has, and show our love in very practical ways, as Jesus did. It may be inconvenient to offer assistance, it may cost us time, effort and money, but love demands that this be done.
What I am saying is that we become shepherds to one another. We are to be shepherds to one another as members of St. Therese parish. We are to be shepherds to one another in our families, to one another at work, among our friends. Just as Jesus guides and protects his sheep, mothers and fathers guide and protect the lambs he has given to us in our families. Just as Jesus shepherds us with patience and love, we shepherd those lives whom God has entrusted to us. Just as Jesus comforts and helps us, husbands and wives comfort and help one another. We are called to be shepherds to one another.
As the horrible and tragic events of this past week have shown us, we never know what tomorrow will bring, but we do know that we have a loving shepherd who walks with us through the good and bad. And one day when we must walk through the valley of darkness and death he will walk with us and lead us to the glorious new life beyond the grave. Because we have a loving shepherd, goodness and love will follow us all our lives and we will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Numbers are so impersonal. Isn’t it nice when someone remembers your name, or when you’re known by name rather than by a customer account number? Isn’t it refreshing in today’s society to be personally known, recognized, appreciated, as an individual, for the person we are?
Today’s gospel reading from John is the shortest passage from scripture that the Church gives for our reflection at mass in our three year cycle of readings. Yet, although only three verses long, it probably is the most consoling and the most reassuring words in all of Sacred Scripture. And how fitting that we hear them this Sunday, after such a disturbing week in our nation. We hear Jesus speak words that tell us that he is a Good Shepherd who cares for us, is interested in what is happening in our lives, who empathizes and encourages us. It assures us of the care, guidance, and presence of a loving God.
Jesus speaks to us of the Shepherd's voice today. It is a voice of promise. It is a voice that promises stubborn protection and care. It is the voice the flock hears and knows and follows. It is the voice which is especially precious in times of tragedy or struggle and pain. And it is one we sometimes have to work hard to hear when other voices especially seem to drown it out. And yet even when those other voices overwhelm, yes even when we don't pause to listen, it is always there, inviting and comforting and urging us on. Jesus says, "My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands, and I am one with the Father" (John 10:27-30).
Artists have taken up this theme and pictured Jesus holding a lamb, or carrying a lamb on his shoulders, or watching over sheep. Jesus is the one who cares, the one who saves the lost, and rescues from trouble. He is the one who is intimately and individually concerned about each one of his sheep. He provides his sheep with everything they need. He is the one whose staff and rod defend the sheep if any danger should come their way. We are led to think of what would have happened to a lost lamb if Jesus did not rescue it. Even if that lamb was wild and independent of all help, the shepherd doesn’t give up. The image of the Good Shepherd is one of love, care, protection, intimacy and closeness.
The sheep depended on the shepherd. They gladly followed him because they knew he could be trusted because he lived among his sheep, slept among them, walked with them, fed them, guided, directed and protected them, knew each sheep by name. All this builds up a mental image of someone with an intense love for our total well-being at every turn of our life. This is a description of how Jesus feels about each one of us. Big business thinks of us as a number. Jesus knows us by name.
By using this shepherd imagery Jesus is connecting himself to the Old Testament imagery that we read of in Psalm 23. The writer refers to the Lord as my shepherd. There nothing else I need. I will not be afraid be. You are close beside me.
No doubt there are times when it seems that Jesus is a million miles away. We have prayed for help in times of sickness and the pain is as intense as ever. We have asked him to guide us through some difficult decisions but we have blundered on making one mistake after another. We have wanted him to watch over our loved ones, but they have still been caught up in trouble and bad decisions. But the fact is Jesus hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s right here with us. He knows what is happening in our lives. He knows what is going through our minds and how restless and anxious we are - he will use his power to help and support us. Jesus’ promise is good even when we are doubting and despairing. Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice." And that voice is never far off or distant from us. It is heard in the preaching and teaching of the Church, in the scriptures, in prayer, through the witness of faithful Christians, and in the events of human life,
Even though we are down and almost out, we are assured that we are in the arms of the everlasting shepherd who lovingly supports and strengthens us in our weakest and most painful moments. Like the lamb that is often pictured in Jesus’ arms, we can be at peace and feel safe in the arms of our loving shepherd.
This reminds me of a passage from the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament where the people are in trouble and ask, "Has God forgotten us"? God answers, "Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for a child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on my hand" Isaiah 49:15-16). Those words are just as applicable to us today as they were three thousand years ago. God feels the same way about us as he did back then. He even gave his life for the sheep.
This Fourth Sunday of Easter is called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Today, as we reflect on Jesus in his role as the Good Shepherd, we think about the need for Good Shepherds for the local communities scattered throughout the world in towns and villages. We think about our need for priests, good priests, priests who will lead us and serve us and bring us the sacraments. But this passage about the Good Shepherd has implications for all of us who are followers of Jesus. We are challenged to share his concern for those who are in trouble, for those who suffer injustice, for the sick and for the poor. It is not good enough for us to say to those suffering "You should trust in Jesus to make things work out for you." As his followers, we share the same concerns as he has, and show our love in very practical ways, as Jesus did. It may be inconvenient to offer assistance, it may cost us time, effort and money, but love demands that this be done.
What I am saying is that we become shepherds to one another. We are to be shepherds to one another as members of St. Therese parish. We are to be shepherds to one another in our families, to one another at work, among our friends. Just as Jesus guides and protects his sheep, mothers and fathers guide and protect the lambs he has given to us in our families. Just as Jesus shepherds us with patience and love, we shepherd those lives whom God has entrusted to us. Just as Jesus comforts and helps us, husbands and wives comfort and help one another. We are called to be shepherds to one another.
As the horrible and tragic events of this past week have shown us, we never know what tomorrow will bring, but we do know that we have a loving shepherd who walks with us through the good and bad. And one day when we must walk through the valley of darkness and death he will walk with us and lead us to the glorious new life beyond the grave. Because we have a loving shepherd, goodness and love will follow us all our lives and we will live in the house of the Lord forever.
