Friar’s Corner: Jesus, our Way to a better life
Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR
Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14; Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32
With all the confusion these days and the varying theme from the Sunday readings, I am looking for a simple and direct theme. What do I see from the parables that Jesus gives us today? I sense Jesus is our Shepherd. Most of us miss the point since we are not sheepherders and don’t make our living selling them or their wool. So, what is the point here?
When we look at other scriptures about sheep and Jesus it is very interesting. In Jesus’ time, shepherds around Jerusalem were raising them to be used in the temple. They needed quite a lot of them. So, each one was worth money to the shepherd. If one got lost it would be necessary to find the lost one.
The Sheepgate
St. John chapter 10 is about shepherds and sheep. Jesus refers to himself in two ways. He said he was the gate for the sheep enclosure where several shepherds would keep their sheep at night. In the morning each shepherd had a certain way of calling his or her sheep and they would follow their shepherd and no one else. Jesus said in 10:7 “So Jesus said again, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep.’”
In John 10:9 he said: “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” Thus, Jesus is the safety person for various sheep.
The Good Shepherd
Just three verses later Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd. He said in verse 11, “I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” In verse 14 Jesus said: “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” I get great comfort reflecting upon and praying about these sentences. I have seen a number of pictures of Jesus holding his lambs in his arms. Jesus cares for us very much.
We can also think about the various things that Jesus shared with us through Sr. Faustina in the 1930s in Poland. As we look at the new Divine Mercy image of him that he gave us, we see Jesus calling us into his heart. The red and pale rays that come from his heart are the blood and water that came from his heart on the cross. Is Jesus giving us direct access into his heart? Yes, and he wants to bless us with more of his love, peace and joy.
The Lord is my Shepherd
There is another Biblical text that is very good and that is Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd. He gives us good rest in verdant pastures. He brings us to restful pastures and refreshes us. Even though sometimes we may walk in darkness, he is there beside us. He also spreads a table before us where he offers us himself as our daily bread as we pray in the Our Father.
As we think and meditate on these texts, we can get more of Jesus’ love, peace and joy. Where have we heard the line “Try it; you’ll like it”? I guarantee that you will more and more fall in love with Jesus. If you get lost, he will be coming after you in various ways and means. Blessings,
+ Father Bob Hilz
fbhilz@gmail.com
(© 2019 Father Bob Hilz, TOR)
