I lay down my life for my sheep (John 10:15)

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

One of the most beautiful and meaningful comments on the life and the legacy of Pope John Paul II, was made by the famous TV evangelist Billy Graham. In an interview he said: “He lived like his Master the Good Shepherd and he died like his Master the Good Shepherd.” In today’s gospel, Jesus claims that he is the Good Shepherd and explains what he does for his sheep.

The fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. It is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The scripture lessons are about shepherds. Each year on this Sunday we reflect on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, devotedly taking care of his flock. The title of the parish priest, "pastor," means shepherd. A shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects his flock—responsibilities that belong to every church leader. The earliest Christians had seen Jesus as the fulfillment of the ancient Jewish dream of a good shepherd.

In today's first reading, Peter asserts the Jewish assembly that there is no salvation except through Christ the Good Shepherd whom the Jewish leaders have rejected and crucified, and in whose name the apostles preach and heal. In the second reading, St. John tells us how Yahweh the Good Shepherd of the Old Testament expressed His love for us through His Son Jesus, the Good Shepherd, by making us His children. The Gospel text offers us both comfort and challenge. The comforting good news is that Jesus the Good Shepherd knows us, provides for us and loves us. The challenge is that we should be good shepherds to those entrusted to our care.

In the Old Testament, the image of the Shepherd is often applied to God as well as to the readers of the people. The book of Exodus several times calls Yahweh a shepherd. In the New Testament, Jesus introduces himself as the Good Shepherd of his flock. Claiming that 1) He knows his sheep and his sheep hear his voice. 2) He gives eternal life to his sheep by receiving us into his sheepfold through Baptism. 3) He protects his sheep by placing them in the loving hands of his mighty Father. 4) He goes in search of stray lambs and heals the sick ones. 5) Jesus dies for his sheep: Just as the shepherds of ancient days protected their sheep from wild animals and thieves by risking their own lives.

Let us become good shepherds to every one entrusted to our care and and good sheep to the Lord. Let us also pray for vocations to priestly and religious life so that we may have more holy and Spirit-filled shepherds to lead, feed and protect the Catholic community. Way back in 2002 EWTN broadcasted something called "Who is your Shepherd?" it went like this:

Who is Your Shepherd?
The TV is my shepherd Ishall not want,
It makes me to lie down on the sofa.
It leads me away from the faith,
It destroys my soul.
It leads me to the path of sex and violence for the advertiser’s sake.
Even though I walk in the shadow of Christian responsibilities,
There will be no interruption, for the TV is with me.
Its cable and remote control, they comfort me
It prepares a commercial for me in the midst of my worldliness
And anoints my head with secular humanism and consumerism.
My covetousness runs over;
Surely ignorance and laziness shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of wretchedness watching TV forever.

Think hard about who is shepherding your life??? If it ain't the Lord, then there's plenty of room for change...but not much time, so begin now.

It's been said that every pastor ought to have six weeks of vacation each year, because if he is a real good shepherd, he deserves it; and if he is not a very good shepherd, his congregation deserves it.

On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations let us pray especially for our young men to respond to God’s call to serve His Church in the ministerial priesthood.


"Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who keeps watch over our lives. I pray that we may hear and recognise your voice when you call. Help us be ready and willing to answer your call even in the most toughest of situations.”