Readings: Acts.2:14. 36-41; Ps.23; 1 Pet. 2:20-25; John 10-1-10
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS
Every fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday/Vocation Sunday, a day dedicated to reflecting on Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who guides all the flock of God into the path that He has prepared for us. It is also an occasion to celebrate Vocation. The imagery of the shepherd and the sheep appears frequently in Scripture. A figurative term which represent the leaders and those entrusted to them.
Today in our Gospel passage, we heard Jesus talking about the gate of the sheepfold and the attitudes of the sheep and shepherds. He said: I am the gate of the sheepfold. All others who have come are thieves and brigands; but the sheep took no notice of them. I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out.
Traditionally, shepherds were the image of the rulers of God’s people and of God himself. So in this Gospel passage, after a dispute with the Pharisees, who were the leaders of the people, Jesus uses this parable to illustrate the difference between true leaders of the people and the false ones.
Telling us that the people need to be organised into a fold, protected and guided by the one true Shepherd. This Shepherd image has become a model for Christian ministry as the Church imitates Jesus the true Shepherd whose voice the sheep know and follow.
Also, in the scriptures, we have a good number of passages that describe the characteristic behaviour of a sheep. So, the understanding of sheep behaviour is essential for us to know what Jesus is saying to us today. One of the characteristics of sheep is their Flocking behavior.
Sheep are best known for their strong flocking and following instinct. They will run from what frightens them and bond together in large groups for protection. This is the only protection they have from predators, for there is safety in numbers. It is this strong flocking instinct that allows one person to look after so many sheep.
Another characteristic of sheep is following the leader. When one sheep moves, the rest will follow, even if it does not seem to be a good idea. The flocking and following instinct of sheep is so strong that even from birth, lambs learn to follow the older members of the flock. The dominant members of the flock usually lead, followed by the submissive ones.
This will help us to understand the Social life of good sheep, as we know sheep are very good social animals. They often ensure that they have visual contact with other sheep. And they become highly agitated if separated from the rest of the sheep.
These great characteristics are highly needed among us, who follow Jesus the Good Shepherd. We need to have a sense of belonging, we need to learn to flock together, we need to have a love instinct for one another and for the shepherd. We need to be docile and submissive.
We must not be separated from others nor allow anyone to separate from the flock. We must learn to be humble and meek like sheep. As we know, sheep are usually very quiet and gentle, holding themselves aloof from the world; we must learn to do the same. Good sheep tend to listen to their leaders and show respect to them, we must learn to do the same.
Sheep are highly obedient, and because of their obedient character, they are one of the most loved animals, so we too must learn to be obedient to experience love from the Good Shepherd and from one another. Although we are sheep, sometimes the Good Shepherd entrusts his leadership to us to follow his example in serving the people. Therefore, we must learn to follow the footsteps of Jesus the Good Shepherd of our souls
Little wonder, we are expected to be well disposed to this task, because God has also called some of us to follow Him to be shepherds in the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. The shepherds are those who exercise the office of the bishops, the priest and all leaders of different capacities who are called to serve the Lord and His people as guidance, politicians, helpers, coordinators, parents and teachers of his flock. We are called to follow the examples of the Good Shepherd Himself in serving the people.
However, as many Shepherd leaders are working so hard to follow the good example of Jesus the Good Shepherd, there is no doubt that in our societies, there are some false and bad leaders who are not walking in the path of the Good Shepherd, but instead, allow themselves to be overwhelmed by the sins of greed, selfishness and corruption in the world.
Dear friends, we must learn to be good sheep and good shepherds. In our societies, we see that some shepherds who ought to guide and feed the sheep are now feeding on the sheep, scattering them to select their choice and feed on their milk, wear their wool, eat their flesh, enriching and fattening themselves from their products. While treating the sheep harshly and brutally, abandoning the sick, the weak and the strayed.
Most leaders in our society have betrayed their mission: instead of promoting a just society in accordance with the plan of God, they are using their authority to enrich themselves while oppressing the people entrusted to them. Today, the duties neglected by such leaders are now hunting everyone.
The consequences of our bad leadership are what are affecting the whole world today. Therefore, it is time for us to return to God, the true Shepherd of our souls; it is time to listen to the voice of Jesus and follow him, the true gate of the sheepfold. It is time to change our ugly, greedy, selfish and corrupt ways of doing things.
Though we have gone astray like lost sheep, now let us come back to the shepherd and guardian of our souls, Jesus Christ, who suffered for us and left an example for us to follow his way as we have it in our second reading.
Let us entrust ourselves and all the leaders of the world to Jesus, who is the good shepherd. He assures us that even though we are the least, the nobodies and most neglected in the eyes of the world, he will not forget us but will continue to provide for our daily needs through his good and faithful leaders.
LET US PRAY, Lord God, as we celebrate Good Shepherd/ vocation Sunday, we pray for all the leaders of the world both religious, secular and in the family, that you will make us true Shepherd of your flock so that we may truly be able to find meaning to our respective vocations in life and for those who are still discerning the path to their vocations, especially all who are discerning their call: the seminarians, religious sisters and brothers, and those looking for life partner, may you help and guide all of us to our true vocation in life. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed and grace-filled Sunday.
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