Good Shepherd

Jn 10, 1-10 

Psalm 23 shows a beautiful way to lead a life of peace and happiness. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me; He refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. 

        Jesus came precisely that we may have a life of peace and happiness as described in Psalm 23. “I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” Jesus’ words take on an added meaning when we celebrate His resurrection. Jesus dies to Himself to live His new risen life. He shows us how to live to the fullest: dying to ourselves we rise to a new life. 

        What our secularised world offers leads us into deeper despair. It destroys our soul. It leads us to the path of sex and violence for the advertiser’s sake, and we dwell in wretchedness forever. The false notion of happiness the world offers is a thief that comes to steal, kill and destroy. 

        Jesus teaches us that the way to happiness lies not in filling up our wants, needs and desires but in choosing a different way of life. Only dying to ourselves leads to happiness. The way to happiness is sacrificing and taking up our cross with Jesus, reproducing His life in our own lives. Jesus says, I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go in and out freely and will surely find pasture. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.

        In Palestine the shepherd brings the sheep into the sheepfold every night. It is a stone wall with a door where the sheep enter. Once the sheep are inside the shepherd sleeps at the door all night. The sheep can’t get out without stepping over his body which means they don’t get out at all. 

        St. John Paul II urges us to find life by following Jesus. He urges us with words like this, “Do not be afraid to open the doors to Christ.” 

        Heavenly Father, the Good Shepherd is the gate. Whoever enters through Him is safe and goes freely in and out to find pasture.  

        Brothers and sisters, we listen to the Good Shepherd’s voice that we may enter the sheepfold and live life to the fullest.

+ Manny Cabajar, C.Ss.R. DD.