The theme for today’s Gospel is the Good Shepherd. When I think of a shepherd, I immediately think of the shepherds I have seen in the movies or on TV. I see them sitting around a campfire or standing around, looking like they have nothing to do. It wasn’t until my cousin and her husband decided to raise a herd of sheep and I happened to visit them for a few hours one summer that my view of a shepherd changed. I learned from my cousin that sheep are very dependent on the shepherd. Without a shepherd's presence, they can get into all kinds of trouble and easily lose their way. They come to know the shepherd's voice that keeps them calm and protected at all times.
As I read today’s Gospel, my cousin’s words came back to me. Jesus serves as an example of a good shepherd. His sheep know His voice and that makes them feel safe and secure in times of trouble or fear. He is concerned for us, His sheep, and will do anything and everything to keep us from harm. He even went so far as to lay down His life for us. It is this loving relationship of shepherd to sheep that we celebrate this Easter season.
Let us take a few minutes to give thanks for the Good Shepherd in our life. Knowing that he is ever present, making sure that we are safe and that we all belong to the one flock, no matter how different we can be.
Sister Rebecca Sullivan, CSFN
