The Fourth Sunday of Easter is Good Shepherd Sunday. This year's liturgical fare has underlined Jesus' presence in His community when they are gathered (Easter II) and when they are at work in mission (Easter III). This Sunday's emphasis is Jesus presence in among the members of His flock in their "going out and coming in", that is in their daily lives. The image of the Good Shepherd actually gives us a picture of the Risen Lord as He takes care of each member of His community. It is with this image, that we can say: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..."
Read the following articles and use the rest of this page as guide for your reflection:
1. "You do not believe me because you are not of my flock," declares Jesus to the unbelieving Jews. Then he describes the members of his flock: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
Reflect: Jesus describes his sheep in three phrases. Do you see yourself described in these three phrases? How?
2. The protection, nourishment, care and attention that Jesus gives to his flock are summarized in the phrase: "No one takes them from my hands..."
Exercise: For about 5-10 minutes, in silence imagine yourself in the big hands of Jesus.
Reflect: How would you describe someone in Jesus' hand? How would you describe yourself in Jesus' hand?
3. "I and the Father are one." There are some non-Catholics who interpret this line as referring to the union of wills between Jesus and the Father. The problem with this interpretation is that they don't take into account the logical contradiction in the statements "no one will snatch them out of my hand" (v. 28) and "no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand" (v. 29). Jesus himself resolves the logical contradiction by declaring: "I and the Father are one." Jesus is declaring here his identity with the Father, that He is God and that in Him, Ezekiel's prophecy is fulfilled: "I (Yahweh) myself will tend my sheep (Ezek. 34:11)"
Reflect: Go back to number 2 above and ask yourself: If being in Jesus' hand is to be in God's hand, where else should I put my security?
