Catholic Online Forum

Acts 4:8-12; I Jn. 3:1-2; Jn. 10:11-18

THEME: JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD!

Once a wealthy parishioner invited a priest and his sacristan for a dinner with other friends. Before dinner the august audience sang solos and played musical instruments. Later they all insisted the priest to sing a song. The priest, an accomplished singer himself, sang “The Lord is my Shepherd” with exquisite expression. The applause was loud and long. Finally, it was the turn of the poor sacristan. “I’m illiterate!” said he, “I can only say the same psalm that Father taught me!” After sometime the sacristan closed his eyes, bowed his head and began, “The Lord is my shepherd…” So sublime and spiritual was the sacristan’s rendition that all the guests were moved to tears. Holding his tears back the priest whispered, “I know the song, you know the Shepherd!”

Today is a special Sunday in Eastertide titled, ‘The Good Shepherd Sunday.’ Jesus is our Good Shepherd and he invites all of us to be like him – to be good shepherds! In the first reading (Acts 4:8-12) – Peter, the First Shepherd filled with the Holy Spirit, fearlessly witnesses to the Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection. He makes this declaration that the crippled beggar was healed “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (Acts 4:10), that “Jesus is the stone that was rejected…has become the cornerstone” (Acts 4:11) and Jesus is the Saviour of all, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Once again, in the second reading (I Jn. 3:1-2), John, the Beloved Shepherd of Jesus, proclaims the greatness of God’s love for us, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are” (I Jn. 3:1). This is why God sent his only son into this world. When we truly live like God’s children in this world, John says, “when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is” (I Jn. 3:2).

In the Gospel reading (Jn. 10:11-18) we come across a beautiful image of the Good Shepherd – Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn. 10:11). “… And I lay down my life for the sheep” (Jn. 10:15). Jesus appropriates this image in speaking of his Messianic role. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus knows and relates with his flock in a very personal way. He calls his own sheep and leads them to green pastures. He bestows the fullness of life to his flock by laying down his own very life for his flock. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father” (Jn. 10:14-15). This is to say, as his faithful sheep we are enjoined to recognise the voice of our shepherd and to follow him as he leads us to fullness of life. Archbishop Oscar Romero once said beautifully, “If we truly live like Jesus, we will all have the same fate like Jesus; and if we do not have the same fate like Jesus, it is a clear sign that we are not truly living like Jesus.”

The church celebrates today, ‘The World Day of Prayer for Vocations.’ There is a specific need of many more young women and men who will totally devote their time, talents and energies to be good leaders. The Lord says, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart…” (Jer. 3:15). Hence, let us pray for Christlike shepherds, like Peter, John, Archbishop Oscar Romero and others who know their true Shepherd and who are filled with the Holy Spirit can proclaim Christ boldly and lead everyone to Him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you are my Good Shepherd. I love you and I want to be with you. With you I have everything that I need. Thank you Lord Jesus, I praise you and I adore you. Amen.

...as wolves are cousins of our domestic dogs they would not normally attack humans.

I wondered when hearing this read at Sunday Mass ? Wouldthe hired man have stayed with the sheep if he were worried about the pay he was to receive ? i.e He was on a contract to care for the sheep but when thewolf came to the door he worried aboiut saving himself rather than earning his pay .He did not know if the wolf would also attack him but possibly as aolves are cousins of our domestic dogs they would not normally attack humans.

I think that parable is pretty clearly in support of Capitalism and private property.

How so?

..... but possibly as aolves are cousins of our domestic dogs they would not normally attack humans.

Because it extols the property owner (the shepherd) and diminishes the worker (the hired man).

Great theory, but I will leave the experiment to someone else to try.

Actually, in my opinion --this, at a minimum, extols God, faith, and the 'hired' shepherd .
...
Regardless, in my opinion, there are probably several ways to interpret this; however, I would suggest all involve Him unless we are talking 'communism'.

No mention was made of communism by anyone except you.

If it quacks like a duck...

I would contend that economic arguments premised upon worker victimhood that as well omits God is by its very essence Communist.

Daniel, what the heck are you talking about???????

Because it extols the property owner (the shepherd) and diminishes the worker (the hired man).

Is the shepherd necessarily the property owner?

A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own...

How does that say the shepherd owns the sheep, since we're being pedantic?

How does that say the shepherd owns the sheep, since we're being pedantic?

Pedantic?

It is implied in contrasting the good shepherd with the hired man "who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own."

Also a little later it says, "I am the good shepherd, and I know mine..." again implying ownership.

Of course, these points are only a concern when considering the literal meaning.

Bishops, who carry a shepherd's crook...

I read that, and I see at least three people, the owner, the shepherd, who according to literal definitions is hired to care for the sheep, and the man who's just "the hired man."

Where do you see a third person mentioned who is the owner?

As to definitions, I believe anyone who herds sheep is a shepherd, regardless of whether he or she is the owner, a hired hand or a volunteer.