Jn. 1: 1-10
Every day we encounter lots of violence in our surroundings: The Russia-Ukraine war, the civil war in Sudan, terrorist attacks, tribal violences, murders, abuses, etc. The original plan of God for humanity is that we, as stewards, take care of everything. Being a steward is like being a shepherd who cares for and loves the flock entrusted to his or her care. Jesus came among us to live this shepherding heart in its fullness. The gospel passage of the day invites us to know Christ the Good Shepherd and his tender, loving kindness and imbibe it in our day-to-day lives. The shepherd knows the sheep by its name. Knowing someone’s name and calling them by name depicts the intensity and depth of a relationship. The flock recognizes the shepherd’s voice and follows him. They know for sure that their shepherd will not lead them astray; instead, he leads them to green pastures.
Jesus presents this parable in the context of the socio-political situation in Palestine. Traditionally, Jews were shepherds, a nomadic tribe moves from place to place according to the availability of food and water for their flock. Once they were settled in the promised land, they also accepted agriculture and farming for their livelihood. Even then, they all had an emotional attachment to the profession of being shepherds. All the great patriarchs and leaders chosen by the Lord were shepherds, like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Saul, David, etc. They all looked after the people entrusted to their care with dedication and commitment, like shepherds. Every leader in Jewish society was expected to be a shepherd like these great shepherds of Israel.
However, at the time of Jesus, the so-called religious and political leaders who were expected to live the shepherding heart through their self-giving love failed to live the ideals of the shepherding heart. They took advantage of their flock and exploited them for their personal advantage. All those who came before Jesus tried to take advantage of the sheep. They lived a self-centered life and failed to practice self-giving love. Nevertheless, Jesus lived the shepherding heart in its fullness by being a good shepherd, who sacrificed his life to give life to his flock. In the second reading, taken from the first letter of St. Peter, he explains how Jesus lived out his shepherding heart and gave life in all its fullness. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” (1 Pet. 2: 24, 25) All of us are called to grow into this shepherding heart of Christ. The disciples recognized it after their Pentecost experience. The first reading underlines this fact by presenting the transformation of St. Peter. When he was empowered by the Spirit, and addressed the people of Israel, they recognized a shepherd in Peter who would care for them. Therefore, a big crowd joined them.
As we reflect on Christ the good shepherd, let us examine and see how we care for the people entrusted to our care in our families and communities, like Christ the good shepherd. Can we reach out to them and nurture their lives with our shepherding presence? Knowing the sheep is also an invitation to be compassionate and share their joys and sorrows. Knowing them, we should be able to lead them to the fullness of life, which is Christ himself. Let us grow into the shepherding heart of Christ by taking responsibility for the people entrusted to our care and leading them to Jesus, who has the fullness of life.