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Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his
life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose
sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and
runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because
he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.” John
10:11–13
What is it that makes a shepherd “good?” A shepherd’s duties
require great sacrifice and time. Like a mother who is always
attentive to her newborn, a shepherd devotes his time and energies
to the care of his flock. In biblical times, shepherds often lived
in caves on the outskirts of towns, where there were plenty of
green pastures, space for the sheep to roam, and water sources. The
caves provided a place of safety at night and shelter from the
elements. During the day, the shepherd watched over the flock in an
almost fatherly way, knowing that if he were to neglect his duties
and become inattentive, a sheep could wander off or fall victim to
a pack of wolves.
Jesus expands this familiar image to convey an even greater reality
of divine love and sacrifice. In today’s Gospel, Jesus takes this
image of a shepherd to a whole new level. He says: “A good shepherd
lays down his life for the sheep.” Though this might not have been
part of the normal job description of a shepherd, perhaps those who
were listening would have made a connection. Some might have
understood what Jesus taught in a figurative way, calling to mind
the time and commitment shepherds make. And though there is a
figurative lesson to be learned, Jesus’ teaching was more than
that.
Jesus first identified Himself as the Good Shepherd. He then
defines what that means: He will lay down His life for His sheep.
Though His listeners likely missed His meaning, Saint John, while
writing his Gospel, fully understood Jesus’ words to be not only
figurative but also literal—Jesus would die on the Cross for the
sins of His sheep.
The metaphor continues with Jesus contrasting a hired worker with a
true shepherd of his own sheep. In the face of danger, a hired
worker flees for his own safety, while the shepherd stands and
fights for his sheep, even to death. This clearly depicts what
Jesus has done for us, but it also reveals our duty toward all of
God’s people, His flock.
As members of Christ’s Body, the Church, we are called to share in
His shepherding mission. Our vocations will especially dictate to
us ways in which we are called to do so. Parents, for example, must
be so devoted to their children that they value their children’s
lives more than their own. Priests and religious are called to be
shepherds who guide and protect their flocks spiritually. Each of
us, however, must participate in Christ’s shepherding mission in
the ways we are called. While the way this is lived will
vary, the degree to which it is lived must not. We are all
called to lead lives that are sacrificial, selfless, and wholly
self-giving. Courageously and completely, we must lay our lives
down for others, imitating the Good Shepherd’s commitment to His
flock.
In communion with the Good Shepherd, we are invited to show this
courage in daily acts of charity, fidelity to our commitments, and
steadfast love for those entrusted to our care. Through this
radical love, we reveal Christ’s presence to the world and share in
His mission to gather all into one fold under the divine Shepherd.
As we continue to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection, we
remember that this joy was won through the courageous love of our
Good Shepherd.
Reflect today on Jesus’ perfect fulfillment of His mission to be
the Good Shepherd. As you ponder His courage, sacrifice, and
selfless love, know that He not only acts as the Good Shepherd to
you, but He also invites you to share in His shepherding. How
courageous are you when given the opportunity to be selfless for
the good of another? How willing are you to seek the others’
salvation, even at great cost to yourself? Charity is at the heart
of Jesus’ mission, and that same charity must permeate everything
we do as we relate to those whom we are called to love. Honor and
thank the Good Shepherd by participating in His mission and laying
down your life for God’s flock.
My Good Shepherd, You have laid down Your life for us, Your
sheep, dying a painful death on the Cross. Your courage and
sacrifice save us from sin and the evil one, opening the path to
eternal life. I accept Your selfless sacrifice in my life and
commit to share in that sacrifice by laying my life down for
others, so that they will come to know You and share in eternal
life. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: The Good Shepherd, via Adobe Stock
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