'I am the Good Shepherd'

Today is traditionally known in the people's devotion as 'Good Shepherd Sunday'. For many of us today, living, as most of us do, in big towns and cities, the mention of sheep leaves us by and large quite indifferent.

Most of us, I am sure, have never seen a live sheep with our own eyes. For many people in the ancient world, however, shepherding was more than an occupation; it was their life, their very identity.

The needs of their sheep determined how they spent their time, for their flocks had to be fed, watered and protected. The life of the shepherd in those remote times was anything but carefree.

Because of the total commitment of the shepherd to his sheep, this image, for example, seemed an appropriate one to characterise the king, who was also expected to be totally committed to his people.

It was because the human leaders failed in their responsibilities to their charges that God declared, as we read in the book of the prophet Ezekiel: "I myself will look after and tend my sheep."

The Gospel description of the Good Shepherd matches perfectly the responsibilities of both the shepherd and the king.

By proclaiming himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus is in fact proclaiming to be divine and to assume guardianship responsibilities over the people, that is over those who accept and follow him.

But, we may ask, what does it have to do with people who live in big cities, in a technological society; people who are struggling with the realities of war and poverty? Today's Gospel encourages us in our need to turn to this Good Shepherd, whose primary concern is our happiness and well-being.

The One who safeguards us is not a mighty warrior who comes to us in military array. Our shepherd is none other than the one who was rejected, the one who was hunted down, humiliated, tortured and crucified on a tree to die in shame.

And yet he is the cornerstone of the building, holding it together, forming a firm foundation so that the structure will not collapse.

Here again, we see that Easter has indeed turned things inside out. Life springs from death. Strength is born of weakness. These statements may sound empty in times of war, violence, hatred and hunger, but they cry out the truth of the Resurrection.

We may feel helpless in the face of the terrors unleashed in today's world, but the words of Jesus should comfort us: "I am the Good Shepherd; I will take care of you!"

Having said this, however, it remains true, especially today since the Second Vatican Council, that it is the Good Shepherd himself who is prodding us in our personal responsibilities for owning our faith and building the kingdom of God.

What this means is that the laity are encouraged to "stop acting like sheep" and to assume a more proactive role in the life of the Church, to act like adults with an adult faith, mature morals, and responsibility for the right development of the world in which we live. Our baptism needs to be taken seriously. It is more than a social ritual. It is a commission for ministry, be it in the life of the Church, in one's family and parish, as well as in secular community.

So the image of the Good Shepherd is still valid today, but the Shepherd does not ask us to be dependent like sheep, but rather to develop a sense of personal responsibility within the Christian community, which is the Church.