Friars Corner: Jesus, our Good Shepherd, laid down his life for us

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Acts 4:8-12; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11-18

My dear friends in Jesus Christ, peace and all good! In these Sundays after Easter we are reflecting on special images of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We think of his resurrected presence on Easter until the Ascension. These special themes come especially from St. John’s gospel.

This weekend we think about Jesus as our Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep (us), John 10:11-18. It tells us how Jesus knows us and some of us know him. Jesus then spoke of “other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.” This theme is common in both Old and New Testaments. We can speculate a lot on what Jesus meant by “one flock and once shepherd.”

Psalm 23

I think Psalm 23 provides us with rich ways Jesus, our shepherd, wants to provide for us in his kingdom.  Do we want to accept these wonderful daily gifts?

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. he guides me along right paths for the sake of his name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.

You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days.

The Shepherd laid down his life

There is the story of a great scripture professor who was sharing with a large auditorium full of Christians on Psalm 23. Half way through his presentation an old man kept waving his arms. That disturbed the professor and he finally asked the man what he wanted. The old man came to the podium and asked to read that Psalm. As he finished reading it, there was hardly a dry eye in the auditorium. The professor was shocked and asked why the different reaction. The old man simply said: “You know the text, I know the shepherd.”

The image we have today is Jesus laying down his own life on the cross to rescue us from sin and corruption. Yet we know he came back from death to continue to care for us and bring us to a new life in his grace and ultimately to guide us to be with him forever in heaven. Jesus wants to pick us up in his loving arms and hold us close to his heart.

Will we let Jesus rescue us from the corruption of sin and evil in this world, bring us into his “flock,” and set us in his direction? He formed a church and appointed “little shepherds” to lead, teach and feed us. We see the church continuing to do this every day all over the world. We need to realize that none of us on earth are perfect. We all have our own small cross to follow Jesus.

The I AM scriptures

The “I AM statements” in St. John’s gospel of Jesus’ continuing work are marvelous. He is our new light of truth, not fake news. He is a fountain of abundant “living water” flowing from his throne in heaven, Revelation 22:1-2. Jesus is our “daily bread” that came down from heaven to give us the best meal on earth, John 6.

Many who know and understand Jesus, come to daily Mass, having “breakfast” with Jesus before they go to work. Jesus is their food.  You will never get a bill. You give free will offerings to help continue the work of the church.

The Resurrected Jesus

Then we have the resurrected Jesus who brings us new life, the “way” to a “new life in God,” John 14:6. He also brings us God’s truth and plan of life. Jesus is also God’s true vine and we must be always attached to him so we get to our heavenly reward, John 15:1.

Let us daily reflect on some of these Scriptures so we continue to delight in the protective care of Jesus, our shepherd. Do not be afraid to allow Jesus to envelope you in his loving arms and keep you close to his heart.

Have a wonderful week in Jesus’ the pastures.
Blessings,

• Fr. Bob Hilz
  (© 2018 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)