Acts 4:8-12
1 Jn 3:1-2
Jn 10:11-18

The Good Shepherd

The gospel for this Sunday shows us that Jesus Christ cares for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. He knows his sheep and is willing to do anything to keep them safe. 

We know that a good shepherd will risk and lay down his life in order to protect his sheep. Jesus, our good shepherd, willingly sacrifices himself for the sake of his sheep. In the gospel, Jesus contrasts the actions of the good shepherd with the actions of the hired shepherd who abandons the sheep in the face of danger. A good shepherd’s concern for his sheep is at the heart of the shepherd’s job. 

Jesus says that the actions of the good shepherd are based upon the relationship that develops between the shepherd and the sheep. This is at the heart of the difference between the good shepherd and the hired shepherd. The good shepherd knows the sheep and therefore acts out of love. We are Jesus’ sheep. He is willing to sacrifice all for our sake. We mean everything to him and he cares for us deeply.

Being a good shepherd, being a good leader in today’s culture is not easy. Anyone who is in a leadership role is called by God to care for those placed in their charge. Whether that leadership role is that of a parent or president of the United States, the shepherd cares for those in her/his care. The reality today is that we sometimes see parents abandoning children or abusing them, to politicians denigrating opponents and even those they are responsible for in their leadership capacity. That is not the way we are to be.

All of us are leaders in some way and have the responsibility to care for others. The other can be someone we know or a stranger, but as Christians, we are responsible for each other. Our attitude should be that of a good shepherd who sees everyone as God’s special creation. We are called to shepherd them as God shepherds and cares for us. We need to realize that God has placed others in our charge because God wants us to value them as much as God values us. This is a high calling God has given us. How will you respond?

In what ways do you experience our Good Shepherd’s care for you?

In what ways do you shepherd others?