Saturday, May 11, 2019

The Good Shepherd

   





Related imageReflection for 4th Sunday of Easter Year C
(Jn 10:27-30)
Today we celebrate Jesus as our Good Shepherd. The readings focus on the duties and benefits of having Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
  1.  "My Sheep hear my voice”

The Good Shepherds speaks to His sheep. “At many moments in the past and by many means, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our time, the final days, he has spoken to us in the person of his Son, whom he appointed hair of all things and through whom he made the ages” (Heb 1:1-2). But how can they hear unless they listen! And to listen we must be silent and attentive. In fact, attentive silence is an indispensable disposition for every follower of Christ Jesus.

It is within this silence that we perceive and decipher the different voices that demand our response. Moreover, this attentive silence upgrades our ‘hearing of the voice’ of the Good Shepherd from a momentary encounter to a living habit! It is the basic duty of the Sheep to make conscious effort to be silent and attentive before the Good Shepherd. Once this duty is fulfilled, the Good Shepherd takes over from there...

2.  “I know them, and they Follow me”
“God you examine me and know me, you know when I sit, when I arise, you understand my thoughts from afar...You knew me through and through, my being held no secrets from you” (Ps 139:1-15). God’s knowledge of our existence is so perfect that it sustains in being. It is fulfilling and joyous to become conscious of this fact. This awareness, which occurs in the silence of our heart, is equally active—it immediately demands a response. This response of faith, which involves the offering of one’s whole being, is to follow Jesus. Thus, the Sheep that follow Jesus the Good Shepherd are those who are aware that Jesus knows them, and knows even the single hair on their head (cf. Mt 10:30). So all our worries and needs are before His watchful care.

3.  “And I give them Eternal Life...”
 “I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except one who was destined to be lost” (Jn 17:12). Despite trials and challenges, the ultimate and final victory belongs to the Good Shepherd. Our lives here on earth acquire deeper meaning and value only when it is open to the eternal life that Jesus offers. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am” (Jn 17:24).

The Good Shepherd speaks through the Scriptures, the ministry of the Church, the Eucharist, etc. Those who in silence and attentiveness listen to His voice, ultimately follow Him in response, with great joy and fulfilment. Such will be counted among the great multitude that will behold His glory. “In all truth I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death” (Jn 8:51).

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Tedi, Lagos.
Sunday 12th May, 2019.
Good Shepherd Sunday.

1 comment: