Gospel Reflection for the 4th. Sunday of Easter

May 7th – Jesus the Good Shepherd

For many of us today who live in cities and housing estates, we don’t often see many shepherds herding their sheep to market! The language and images in the gospel can seem and bit strange to us today and may even be outside our experience altogether.

In the gospel this Sunday, Jesus uses the image of the shepherd to describe himself and his relationship with us. At the time of Jesus shepherds were a part of daily life for many people. When Jesus uses the image and symbol of the shepherd, the people to whom he was speaking would have understood what he was talking about immediately. But what does the image of Jesus the shepherd mean for us today? While sheep all look the same to us, a shepherd knows each of them individually. When a shepherd calls a sheep, the sheep recognises the voice and responds. Just as the shepherd knows the sheep, the sheep knows and trusts the shepherd. The shepherd guides and protects the sheep. The sheep go where the shepherd leads them.

We are not sheep! But the Lord knows and loves each of us as individuals. We are not all the same to the Jesus. He loves each of us personally and intimately. The Prophet Isaiah has a beautiful image of this when we writes, ‘I have called you by your name, you are mine, do not be afraid. You are precious to me and I love you.’ If a shepherd cares for his sheep with great love and devotion, how much more does Jesus love and care for each of us?

Jesus does not force us to listen to his voice when he calls us. He invites us to follow him freely. The choice whether or not to respond is ours. We make take our time in responding, but Jesus will never stops calling us by our name; he will wait until we do respond.

Jesus does not call and ask us to follow him just for the sake of it. He offers us not only the fullness of life; he offers us the fullness of his life. Jesus came so that each of may have life and have it to the full. This fullness of life is offered to us here and now, not some time in the future.

As we continue our journey through Easter in preparation for the celebration of Pentecost, may each of us realise how deeply and personally Jesus loves us. When Jesus calls us by our name, may we answer in faith, gratitude and gratefulness. May we follow where he leads us.

• Michael Moore OMI