Today’s Gospel is a continuation of the passage we heard proclaimed yesterday on Good Shepherd Sunday. In it, Our Lord continues to draw upon that powerful Shepherd imagery which permeates the Hebrew Scriptures.
Especially in the Psalms, God himself is represented as the shepherd of his people. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”---Psalm 23. “He is our God and we are his people the flock he shepherds”—Psalm 95.
The Shepherd is simultaneously a leader and a companion. He is a strong man who is capable of defending his flock against wild beasts. He is also gentle with his flock, giving them careful attention (Proverb 27:23), bearing them in his arms, as we hear in the prophet Isaiah: “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.” His authority over his flock is based on devotion and love.
Jesus shows himself to be the Good Shepherd. God’s flock, the Church is under his leadership, he leads us to the life giving waters of Baptism and feeds us with the Eucharist. We know our Good Shepherd and he knows us by name, we who he has saved from the robbers and thieves who seek to slaughter and destroy the human soul.
And he is the perfect Shepherd because He gives his life for the sheep.
Throughout the Easter season we’ve been reading from the Acts of the Apostles in which we hear the story of the first shepherds of the Church, those who Jesus appointed, charging them to watch over the Church, guide the Church, lead her, teach her, continue to feed her.
We in Cleveland await a new shepherd, a new bishop, to be appointed. Though the Holy Father has appointed Bishop Thomas as our Apostolic Administrator, and he is doing an excellent job, we miss having a bishop of our own. And we pray that the Holy Father will send us a bishop who will lead and protect and carry our diocese close to his heart who will help us to know the closeness of the One Good Shepherd. For the Lord promised through the prophet Jeremiah: Pastores dabo vobis iuxta cor meum, "I will give you shepherds after my own heart"
May we draw near to the One Shepherd today through word, sacrament, prayer, and acts of charity in imitation of his own love and care for the Church for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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Jesus is Risen from the dead, and leads his flock to eternal blessings. With new trust, we now bring our needs to the Father through him.
For our Holy Father, Pope Francis, as he selects the next shepherd of our diocese; for our Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Daniel Thomas, as he serves the pastoral needs of our diocese while we are in transition; for Bishop Richard Lennon, as he adjusts to a new stage in his life and ministry; that the Holy Spirit will enlighten and empower all the leaders of our church with faith in the promises of Christ, hope for the years to come, and charity that knows no boundaries.
For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, and for the 8 men who will be ordained priests in the diocese of Cleveland next Friday.
For our young parishioners who received their First Holy Communion this weekend, that they may always be blessed to raised in faith-filled homes and know the closeness of Jesus their Shepherd.
For the poor and homeless, for those who suffer discrimination and rejection, and for all who are ill or undergoing surgery this week.
That those who have died may be led by the Good Shepherd to the waters of eternal life.
Father, you call each of us to serve you with faithfulness and joy. Hear our prayers, and bring us to the joy that never ends. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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