4th Week of Easter 2021 - Monday - The Shepherd's Tender Love

 

On the 4th Sunday of Easter every year, we celebrate good shepherd Sunday. Over the course of the three year cycle, we read different segments of the Lord’s Good Shepherd Discourse from John Chapter 10. Since we are in the second of the three year cycle, yesterday we read verses 11-19. Today we read the opening verses of the discourse in which the Lord begins to introduce imagery of sheep and shepherds and flocks without directly explaining what these images mean. 

Still addressing the Pharisees from the previous chapter, the Lord introduces two opposing parties: thieves and robbers on one hand and the shepherd on the other. The Pharisees are symbolized by the thieves and robbers in the story, who mistreat and scatter the flock of God. By failing to cultivate true holiness among the people of Israel and thereby misusing their religious authority, the Pharisees have set themselves up in opposition to the Good Shepherd—Jesus.

Unlike the Pharisees, the Shepherd is simultaneously a leader and a companion. He is a strong man who is capable of defending his flock against thieves and wolves. He is also gentle with his flock, giving them careful attention, 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.

Yes, we are to be devoted to God and love God with our whole hearts, minds, souls, and strength. But in the image of the Good Shepherd, we find that God is devoted to caring for us, he loves us. We know our Good Shepherd and he knows us by name, and he has laid down his life to save us from the thieves and robbers which seek to slaughter and destroy the human soul.

The Shepherd has come so that we “might have life and have it more abundantly.”  And that abundant life consists of knowing his love and imitating his love. May we be free from all attitudes which keep us from living this abundant life, vigilant against all the forces which seek to take us away from Jesus, and diligent in spreading the goodness and love of the shepherd to those we meet today, welcoming them into the unity and life of his flock, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.

For Pope Francis and Bishop Malesic, that they may have the strength to govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd and for an increase in vocations to the ordained priesthood, and that our priests may serve the Church with the love and devotion of the Good Shepherd.

For our parish, that we may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ and his tender love for sinners and for the poor.

For members of Christ’s flock who have wandered far from the Church: for the desire and will to return to the Sacraments; for deliverance from all spiritual evils and an increase in virtue for the faithful. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: that they may know the peace and consolation of the Good Shepherd. Let us pray to the Lord.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.