The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known unofficially as Good Shepherd Sunday. It is also World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The Gospel on this Sunday always comes from St. John’s Gospel, Chapter 10, where our Lord identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd.
There are a few more beloved images of Christ as the Good Shepherd. This image of Christ was extremely popular with the Early Church as it spread throughout the world. In fact, the first images of Christ found in the catacombs are of the young Jesus, (without a beard!) dressed in a Roman toga carrying a young lamb upon His shoulders.
Shepherding was a very common occupation in the Middle East. The Patriarchs were all shepherds, as was Moses and of course, King David. It was to shepherds in the field that the news of the birth of Christ was first revealed! The idea of God shepherding His people appears at critical times in the history of God’s people.
As much as God praises and raises up good shepherds for His people, God also condemns the actions of bad shepherds. The attributes of a good shepherd are many, they provide nourishment and refreshment for his sheep, and he always leads the way. A good shepherd provides safety and protection. The good shepherd is willing to ignore his own needs in order to meet the needs of the sheep. Even to the point of giving his own life for his sheep. Sheep, by their nature, are skittish and fearful of the world.
And perhaps the most comforting attribute of the Good Shepherd is that He is personally and intimately involved with all his sheep. His closeness with the individual sheep is clear when it says He calls them by name, and the sheep recognize his voice.
Multiple flocks would sometimes be brought into the sheepfold for the night. A shepherd would lie across the sheep gate, so any sheep or predator had to step on the shepherd to leave or enter. The next day each shepherd in turn would stand in the middle of the fold and call his own out. It was not a matter of the calling or words used, but the sheep responded primarily to the distinct tone of their shepherd’s voice.
Sheep need a shepherd. What a blessing to know and have this Good Shepherd, Jesus! Under the care of our Shepherd, we are saved from every adversary that seeks our destruction. We are saved from our sin and even death. Because of Christ’s own death for us and His resurrection, we are given eternal life.
For the Lord is my Shepherd, of whom should I fear?
We also pray for vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life, especially among our young people. May they recognize the Voice who calls them to serve His Flock, and be generous and selfless in their answer.