Fourth Sunday of Easter (B)

 Fourth Sunday of Easter B [Jn 10:11-18]

25.04.2021

Jesus the Good Shepherd

Readings: (1) Acts 4:8-12 (2) 1 Jn 3:1-12

1.  Theme in brief

Care, protection and self-sacrifice of Jesus our Good Shepherd

2.  Focus Statement

The Risen Christ is our Good Shepherd who knows us intimately, takes care of us, protects us and lays down his life willingly out of love for us, in contrast to the hired man who abandons the sheep when they are attacked by the wild animals.

3.  Explanation of the text

Today’s gospel passage has its background in the OT, in which the leaders of Israel, especially the kings are called shepherds. Prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel pronounce God’s condemnation of the evil rulers (wicked kings) of Israel who are called false shepherds (Jer 23:1-2; Ez 34:1-10). Ezekiel strongly accuses the false shepherds of Israel who had been feeding themselves instead of feeding the sheep; who clothed themselves with their wool and slaughtered them for food, but never bothered to care for them (34:1-6). In contrast to those greedy leaders of Israel, he portrays God as an ideal or noble shepherd who genuinely cares for his ‘sheep’ (that is, Israel, Ez 34:11-16). In the context of the failure of many Jewish leaders, Jeremiah proclaims God’s promise to appoint faithful shepherds to tend his flock after his own heart (Jer 3:15), and Ezekiel announces that God himself will be their shepherd par excellence (Ez 34:15).

In today’s text, Jesus claims that Ezekiel’s prophecy of God himself becoming the true or ideal shepherd of his people (34:15) is fulfilled through his ministry. Therefore, he claims to be not just any shepherd but the Good Shepherd, meaning true/ ideal/ noble or model shepherd of his flock (that is, community of believers). Though in the OT, the wicked kings are called false shepherds, in today’s gospel Jesus depicts false teachers and misleading guides as hired hands or hired men and ‘wolves’ (10:12-13). He may be referring both to evil leaders of Judaism (especially the Pharisees) and false teachers of the future Church. He points out how his self-sacrifice (on the cross) for his sheep stands out in stark contrast to the selfish, greedy and harassing religious leaders of Israel. He proves to be the Good Shepherd because, unlike the hireling, he lovingly, willingly and voluntarily sacrifices his life in order to save or in defence of his sheep (10:15,18).

Jesus likens his role to that of a model shepherd – not only his role of taking care of the sheep but also defending/ protecting/ guarding them against any possible attack from wolves (10:12). This image of ‘wolves’ most probably refers to the false teachers either in Jewish society or in the Early Church. A hired hand tends the sheep for money, while the shepherd does it out of love. He is not merely doing a job but is committed to the sheep, since he owns them. The hired man works only for selfish motives, that is, only for money or wages. He does not take his job as a divinely ordained call but only as a means to earn money. He is not concerned about the welfare of the sheep but only about his pay. He has no sense of responsibility, because he neither owns the sheep nor cares for them (10:12-13). He has no other interest in the sheep, and is not ready to put his life at risk when the wolf comes to attack the sheep. When danger approaches he leaves the sheep and simply runs away to save his own life allowing the sheep to be snatched and eaten up by the wolf (10:12). It happens because genuine love for the sheep is not the motivation of the hired man.

Jesus willingly lays down his life (in sovereign freedom) to save his sheep. For Jesus, his role as the Good Shepherd is  not a profession but an option which he freely and voluntarily chooses of his own accord; it is in no way forced on him (10:18).  His deepest love for the sheep motivates him to sacrifice his life to save and give life to them. He lays down our life freely in order to regain or take it up again more abundantly – an obvious reference to his resurrection (10:17-18).

Jesus compares his intimate relationship with or knowledge of the sheep to the intimacy he shares with his Father (10:14-15). He says that he knows his sheep very intimately and the sheep whom he calls “my own” also know him (10:14). This word “to know" is used throughout the Scripture not for knowing something intellectually or theoretically or for knowing someone as an acquaintance, but to describe the most intimate, personal and experiential relationship that one can have.

The other sheep that do not belong to Jesus’ fold’ certainly refer to the Gentiles (10:16). He will bring them also, of course, not directly but through the missionary efforts of his disciples. One day they will listen to his voice and both the Jews and the Gentiles will become one flock (community) under one Shepherd (that is, under him).

4.  Application to life                     

One of the most prominent, ancient and common pictures of Jesus in Christian art is that of the shepherd tending his sheep or carrying it in his arms or on shoulders. Today’s gospel text, given in the context of Easter Season, poses this question for us: Who is Risen Lord for us and what does he do for us? The Risen Lord is our Good Shepherd who knows us, takes care of us, protects us and even today lays down or sacrifices his life for us (in the Eucharist). As our Good Shepherd, the Risen Christ protects us from so many ‘wolves’ such as evil, sin, worldly or ungodly ways, bad companions, misleading guides, false teachers and unbecoming and unworthy leaders. Hence, this gospel text invites us to experience the shepherding role of the Risen Lord, which consists in constantly saving us by protecting and defending us from all these ‘wild animals.’

Is there any shepherd or herdsman among us who would not mind purposely getting devoured by a wild animal in the forest rather than letting one of his domestic animals be snatched by it? Hardly any. Though we love our domestic animals, normally we consider our life more precious than theirs and do not risk it wilfully. It is quite the opposite with Jesus our Good Shepherd. He willingly sacrificed his life for us (his sheep) on the cross in order to save us from the ‘wild animals’ such as sin or evil and make us partakers of his divine life. Again, if ever a worldly shepherd gets killed by a wild animal while defending his sheep, it is because he could not escape from the clutches of that animal. On the contrary, Jesus freely and willingly lays down his life of his own accord out of love for us. Further, unlike the worldly shepherds, Jesus continues to protect and defend us against our spiritual enemies even after his death because he laid down his life in order to take it up again (10:17), that is, rise from the dead and remain with us to defend us till the end of our lives.

There is no dearth of false shepherds or ‘hired workers’ around us such as misguides, bad companions, fake gurus and godmen, dishonest and corrupt leaders. They may sometimes promise the moon. But heart of hearts they seek their own material benefits, rights, security and wellbeing and are least bothered whether the sheep enjoy anything of this sort. They are least concerned when the sheep go astray, get lost or become victims of ‘wild animals.’ They are least interested to protect the rights and dignity of the weaker sheep.

If we want to protect ourselves from these false shepherds and come under our Good Shepherd’s banner or standard, we need to know him intimately as he knows us personally and intimately and be familiar with his voice. Knowing him also means to be in constant communion with him. This is possible only through a depth-level communication with him in prayer, meditation on the Word of God and recognition of him in all situations and among the needy and the suffering. As the sheep of Christ, we are constantly in danger of falling prey to misleading guides, false propaganda, corruption, addictions like drugs and alcoholism, marital unfaithfulness and betrayal in priestly or religious life. The Risen Lord is ready to protect us from these ‘wild animals’ (evils or evil powers) if we listen to his voice and submit ourselves to his care. He cares for us by protecting us and nourishing us through the Eucharist.

The next question is: How can we be good or ideal shepherds to others after the model of Christ? An honest answer to this question should prompt all leaders of families, civil society, religious or consecrated life and the Church to self-examine whether they are good shepherds or bad, whether  they behave like hired workers and tend the ‘sheep’ merely for money/ material benefits/ power, or out of love for them and genuine interest in their welfare. They need to question themselves whether they have assumed leadership roles merely for money, perks, power and position, or are committed to the sheep; whether they work only to fill their own pockets or for the welfare of the ‘sheep’ (people entrusted to their care); whether they consider their position merely as a job, or a divinely ordained call to serve the community with its people’s concerns in mind; and whether they sacrifice a little bit of their self-interest/ time/ energy/ talents for those who are neglected, underprivileged and marginalized. They need to examine whether they have a sense of responsibility for the ‘sheep’ and genuinely care for them. They need to ask themselves how they behave or react when the ‘wolves’ (that is, those who exploit, do injustice and steal human dignity) come to attack the ‘sheep’. When the sheep face such a danger, do they leave the sheep and simply run away to save their own life letting the sheep suffer their fate, or protect them and try to liberate them from the clutches of exploiters and oppressors?

Though we are more familiar with the traditional application of the shepherd’s imagery to the shepherding role of the Church leaders, such as bishops and priests, we can broadly apply it to all those who are in a position of leadership in families, society and the Church. Persons who hold any position of leading/ guiding/ directing others are like shepherds to the people under their care. Those who hold such positions should ask this question: How can I become a good shepherd in my family, society and the Church? Today’s good shepherd is a father in the family who spends some time with his children to guide and direct them in spite of his busy schedule; a mother who nurses, cares and supports a sick/ disobedient/ mischievous child; a teacher who teaches human, moral and spiritual values and character to students besides regular lessons, or spends extra time to teach dull students; a student who visits his/her sick classmate, though not a friend; a doctor who treats a life-threatening illness of a poor patient for a lower fees; a parish council member who visits a member who does not attend meetings; an officer who stands for the rights of the poor; a friend who protects his/her friend from danger and evil habits, etc. Let us ask ourselves whether we are shepherds after God’s own heart, or false shepherds/ hirelings who do nothing to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back the strayed, seek after the lost, or to prevent our people getting scattered and becoming a prey to ‘wild animals’ such as bad companions, criminals and corrupt forces (Ez 34:4-6).

5.  Response to God's Word

As a pastor/ consecrated person/ parent/ teacher/ civil or Church leader/ medical practitioner/ administrator/ council or committee member, am I a good or ideal shepherd after the model of Christ, or merely a ‘hireling’? Do I imitate or follow our Good Shepherd’s model, or only the bad example of other shepherds of the world (such as opinion polls, T.V. ads, latest fads, misleading or bad companions, false teachers, other pressure groups, etc.)? Which standards dominate my way of thinking and acting: the Good Shepherd’s or the world’s and its false shepherds’? Who or what snatches me away from Jesus’ fold? In what way can I lay down my life freely by making self-sacrifices to save and protect or defend the ‘sheep’ under my care? Please think of the ways you can become a ‘good shepherd’ at home, in workplace, in the neighbourhood and in the local Church, and avoid becoming merely a ‘hired labourer,’ or worst still a ‘wolf.’

6.  A prayer

O Good Shepherd, thank you for seeking me when I was lost, bringing me back when I strayed, binding my wound when I was injured, strengthening me when I was weak, protecting me from evil, nourishing me with the Word and the Eucharist and laying down your life in sacrificial love for me. Remain as my ideal Shepherd and motivate me to be a true shepherd after your own heart. With you as my Shepherd I shall not want anything.  Amen.