Breaking Open the Word
May 11, 4th Sunday of Easter
Introduction
Have you experienced a common bond with others? What was that bond and how did it bind you together? Sometimes a life experience bonds people together in unexpected ways. A tragedy, an event or even, a leader can bring diverse people together to share a common memory or goal. The intimacy of the bond can only be understood by those involved and it can be described through an analogy to others.
In John's gospel, Jesus described the bond that unites His followers as the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. The ancient people understood the deep connection between a shepherd and his flock.
Gospel Explained
In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches the people with a parable comparing God's relationship to His Covenant people with a shepherd's relationship to his sheep. Throughout the Bible God reveals a special love for shepherds. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and David were shepherds that found favor with God. It was the shepherds, from the fields around Bethlehem, who arrived first to worship Jesus at His birth. Bethlehem, "house of bread” in Hebrew, is the hometown of King David. Located just 5 miles from Jerusalem, scholars believe the lambs for the daily sacrifice were kept in the fields at Bethlehem. At Jesus’ birth, these shepherds may have been the very shepherds who kept the flocks for the daily sacrifice to Yahweh.
Psalm 23 provides a wonderful description of the habits of a flock of sheep that can be compared to Jesus' role as God's Supreme Shepherd of the New Covenant Church. Sheep depend on the shepherd for their wellbeing. Sheep are sociable animals that travel together in a large flock but not too close together; they like their personal space. Sometimes sheep lose their connection to the flock and tend to stray which can lead to disaster. Often sheep are unaware of the dangers of the world. At the beginning of the spring just before sheering when the streams and rivers are full and running deep the shepherd must keep the sheep away from swiftly moving water. Sometimes the shepherd must dam up a portion of the stream so his animals can drink. If the shepherd doesn't protect them in this way, the sheep will wade out into the swiftly moving water, and weighed down by thick wet wool will drown. Lastly, the sheep learn the sound of the voice of their shepherd so that when he calls them, they will come to him, but they will run from the voice of a stranger. The Shepherd protects, provides for and loves the flock. They depend on Him for their wellbeing and survival.
Jeremiah prophesied the final Shepherd, the Messiah who was promised to come from the house of David as God's prophet, priest and king to "shepherd" the Covenant people. And what did he say? “I Myself shall gather from all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their folds... (Jerm 24:3).” God promised that the day would come when He would raise up the Messiah, "The Branch", from the line of King David who would reign as king. God said, I Myself shall take care of My flock and look after it. I Myself shall pasture My sheep. I Myself shall give them rest. I Myself shall judge between the fat sheep and the thin sheep. I will judge sheep from sheep.
Today's Theme
Zechariah provides the prophecy about the betrayal and death of the Good Shepherd which was fulfilled in Jesus’ Passion and Death. Throughout the Old Testament the Messiah is described as the Good Shepherd. God promised that the Good Shepherd Messiah would: reveal to the Gentile nations that He is the one true God; bring His covenant people "home” into a perfect Covenant union with God; “pour clean water" over them to cleanse the people of their sins; put His Spirit and a new heart in them.
Jesus says, “I AM the good shepherd.” What precisely makes Him good? A good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep. The good shepherd is so devoted to his sheep, that he is willing to surrender his life that they might live.
The people understood that a shepherd would do everything he could to protect and guide his flock, but who would expect the shepherd to give his life for his sheep? It is in this great sacrifice that the Messiah is recognized, and the hearts of His people are transformed.
Theme in our Life Today
After first evangelizing the Jewish people, the chosen people of the First Covenant, Paul begins to plant seeds of faith with non-Jews. Our first reading speaks of the great jealousy the Jews felt when the Gentiles were invited to join the community of believers and follow Jesus.
John describes in the reading from Revelation, “a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.” He goes on to say, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb…For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Christianity is not a set of ideas, a philosophy or an ideology. It is a relationship with someone who has a voice. The first disciples heard this voice, with its particular tone and texture. We hear this voice, the voice of Jesus in the Scriptures proclaimed at Mass. We hear this voice when bishops and popes speak. We can also hear this voice in our conscience, Christ in our soul.
This voice is the voice of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. He calls to each and every one of us. He laid down His life for you and for me. He wants to protect, lead and provide for all His precious sheep. We simply must follow His voice.
Prepare for Sunday
Do I struggle like the early Jews and feel jealous of other groups of people who follow Jesus? If so, I will ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart and mind to all of God’s people.
Have I heard the Shepherd’s voice?
What is He asking of me? If I cannot discern His voice, I will spend time in His living Word and in the silence, seeking the voice of my Good Shepherd.