Shepherds were a common sight at the time of Jesus.  There is still a sheep market in Jerusalem, where shepherds come every Friday morning to buy and sell sheep.  Jesus’ characterization of Himself as the Good Shepherd is full of meaning for us, even though we never see shepherds leading their flocks through the cities.

Jesus speaks about sheep following their shepherd.  To follow Jesus is an image for discipleship.  What draws us to Jesus as His disciples? We have heard His voice and recognized it.  We have heard Him calling us by name.  We are bound to Jesus, our Shepherd, by a personal relationship.

Jesus repeatedly speaks of His laying down His life for His sheep.  He says that only the shepherd, who has a personal stake in his sheep would be willing to risk his life to protect his sheep.  Jesus is intimately connected with His followers, just as the Father is united with him.  He is willing to lay down His life for us so that we may have abundant life.

Jesus came into the world to give His life for you and me.  His coming and His death and resurrection is God’s demonstration of His love for us.  That is why we know we can entrust ourselves into the hands of our Good Shepherd.

Jesus tells us that it is His Father’s will that He freely sacrifice His life for us so that we may receive eternal life.  Since Jesus and His Father are one, Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself manifests just how greatly God loves the world.  God could give up nothing greater than His own Son to deliver us from death and give us eternal life.

What we celebrate during this Easter Season is God’s great love for us.   What we commit ourselves to during this Easter Season is to respond to God’s love for us by truly loving Him in return and asking Him to help us grow in His love.

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell