One of the images of Christ which has always been popular is that of Jesus as the Shepherd of the Flock and this Sunday it is the subject of the reading of the Gospel according to John. The theme of shepherd is addressed in all three Sunday cycles; A, B, and C; maybe underlining the importance of this concept of Jesus as Good Shepherd. In this reflection I would like to ponder this image and its significance for our faith and as Christian Church.
The definition of the word noun
shepherd is a person whose
job is to
take care of sheep and move them from one place to another. It can also be used as a verb meaning to tend, guide, escort and accompany. All
of these terms can be applied to Jesus in his ministry. One of the things which is essential to being
a shepherd is that you have a flock to tend and in the case of Jesus that Flock
is those people given to Him by his Father; the ones who cannot be stolen from
Him (cf. Jn 10:29). Jesus also describes himself as the good
shepherd, in other words He is not just a shepherd but is the shepherd, He is the only, the ultimate, the unique
shepherd. He also uses the adjective good; taken from the Greek word kalos
which describes that which is noble, wholesome, good. It is an innate goodness.
Therefore, in using the phrase “the good shepherd,” Jesus is referencing His
inherent goodness, His righteousness, and His beauty. He is the one who
nurtures, protects and guides His Sheep.
At the
beginning of Chapter 10 Jesus describes the sheepfold and it place in guarding
and protecting the sheep. There is a
gate through which only the shepherd can enter; anyone entering by alternative
way must break in and is therefore a thief; a brigand. When Jesus realises that His listeners do not
understand this parable He goes on to explain it to them. Using this image of the sheepfold He
describes himself not just as the Shepherd but also as the as the Gate to the
Sheepfold. It is only through him that
the sheep will find safety and protection and he will do this both inside and
outside the fold. “Anyone who enters through me (the gate) will be safe: they
will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture” (Jn 10:9). But is also, as with all parables, speaking
about a deeper meaning than this; He is contrasting Himself (the Good Shepherd)
and the other religious leaders of his time; the Pharisees and temple
authorities comparing them to the “hired man” who looks after the sheep just
for money.
Reading
through verses 1-30 of chapter 10 of the Gospel according to John we can see
this very definite image of Jesus as Shepherd; guide; protector; nurturer but
also as obedient Son of the Father looking after those who have been given to
him: us!
Fr Michael Manning, O.Carm, Chaplain of the National Shrine of Saint Jude. You can read more about Fr Michael, here.
Fr Michael Manning, O.Carm, Chaplain of the National Shrine of Saint Jude. You can read more about Fr Michael, here.
