I am not sure how many people reading this reflection are shepherds, live on a farm, or raise sheep. The greater majority of us are most likely removed from the daily life and commitment of a shepherd. With such ignorance as our starting point, we can fall prey to a false romanticism of the life of a shepherd as a reaction to the fast pace and hustle and bustle of modern urban and suburban life. The commitment and demands of shepherds during Jesus’ time were demanding, all consuming, with little acknowledgment or recognition. In fact, many shepherds were looked down upon, and groveling at the bottom of the social class of ancient Palestine. Yet, Jesus compared himself to being a shepherd.

Just scratching the surface of the social context of shepherds could help to shed light on John’s Gospel today where Jesus paints an image of himself as the Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep” (Jn 10:14-15).

Jesus is not just a shepherd, but the good shepherd. A good shepherd lived among his sheep, watched over them, cared for them, helped to birth and raise them, as well as was willing to protect them from predators and thieves. As Pope Francis has shared, the shepherd ought to smell like his sheep. This could be another reason that people were not fond of shepherds. Sheep smell.

His disciples and we may not be fond of being compared to sheep. Yet, the Son of God, has come close to us. He was willing to enter into our humanity so to not only to smell like us, he has taken upon our sin for us on the Cross. He watches and cares, protects and nourishes us with his own Body and Blood, and has given his life for us.

We get in trouble when we stray from his protective care and wander away. Yet, even when we have strayed, Jesus will come when we bay for help and when we are in need. Each one of us is precious and important to him. He will find us if we are willing to be found, if we just call out to him, for he knows our voice. He will come to us and will carry us back home on his shoulders.

Coming to know and understand the voice of the Good Shepherd helps to prevent us from getting lost in the first place. For when we begin to walk in the wrong direction, Jesus calls us back. Are we willing to listen? We come to recognize his voice when we are willing to spend some quiet time with him. Intentionally resting and renewing in his presence and love with the humility and simplicity of a lamb can do wonders.

We can rest our heads on his lap, surrender to him all our cares, doubts, anxieties, and fears. We can rejoice with and share our joys, hopes, and dreams. In his presence we can be healed by confessing any sins that are weighing upon us, allow him to impart some healing balm on past hurts, and let him bind up any recent wounds. At some point in our contemplation, may we abide in the reality and truth of the ultimate gift the Good Shepherd gave: his life given for us, that we might have life in him. A life not merely to exist or survive, but a life of joy, fulfillment, and meaning that will lead to eternity with him and his Father to experience the love of the Holy Spirit.

Photo: Some quiet time to pray and listen, Rosary walk, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL.

Link for the Mass readings for the fourth Sunday of Easter, April 21, 2024