On this Fourth Sunday of Easter we come to celebrate what is known as Good Shepherd Sunday.
The shepherd serves as an important reminder of Christ and His role for the Church. In art the Good Shepherd is often depicted as having a sheep placed upon His shoulders. This represents the love and care of the Good Shepherd who goes in search for the lost sheep and brings them back to safety. The Good Shepherd must stay attentive to the needs of his sheep and thus make sure that they have something to drink, something to eat, and remain safe despite the many problems of the outside world.
Christ sees us in our thirst and thus established for us the Sacrament of Baptism. To these waters we were led in order that we may be cleansed and given new life. Christ sees our hunger and thus established the Sacrament of the Eucharist. To this food we are led in order that we may be nourished by Christ’s Body and Blood. Christ sees the danger of temptation and despair and establishes the Church in order that we may remain in its confines to be kept safe.
May we allow ourself to follow after this Good Shepherd. May we renew each day what was set forth from the moment of our baptism. May we follow this Good Shepherd towards the nourishment of Christ’s Body and Blood and thus conform our life onto His. May we follow this Good Shepherd thus allowing ourself to always remain in the protection of the sheepfold which is the Church.
Instead of following such a shepherd so many lose sight of His loving care. Thus they soil their baptismal garment through sin. Thus they avoid the Eucharist as they go about their life placing other things above it. Thus they find that they are wondering about lost outside of the confines of the sheepfold as they structure a Church made after their own image. We cannot allow ourself to get lost in such a way, but rather we must pursue Christ the Good Shepherd.
Let us thus pray for priests that they may be faithful stewards of what the Lord has handed on to us. Let us pray for vocations to the priesthood that more men will step up to answer God’s call that they too may become good shepherds. Let us pray for parents that within their own home they come to emulate Christ the Good Shepherd as they pray with their children, bring their children to Church, and instruct their children in the faith.
