May 8, 2022 – Sister Jo Threlfall
John 10: 27-30
In this liturgical season of the Resurrection, why do we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday? Jesus the Good Shepherd has walked among us and completed His ministry, before he died and rose to save us.
In fact, the post resurrection time was just when this Gospel message was most needed. It was a time of confusion, great uncertainty, and a number of Jesus disciples and followers refused to believe and had rejected his teaching. Others would have been feeling very insecure after Jesus had left them, even though he had promised to be with them to the end of time. It was a time of confusion, and lack of direction, there were divisions among the people; their faith was being tested.
Today’s short Gospel message which follows the comforting, encouraging message of the Good Shepherd, helps us to understand the background tensions of the time and the ever-greater need for this message; the need for spiritual guidance, encouragement and strength which is what Jesus the Good Shepherd offers.
“The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John10:27
The same message is expressed in the Second Reading of today’s Mass when we hear that those who suffer will never grow hungry again, because the shepherd will care for them. “The lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.” Apoc7:17
We live in a time of great uncertainty of suffering, oppression, and discrimination across our world There are days in each of our lives when we panic and find that we are sinking in our own problems. Maybe we feel we can’t cope but let us be assured that God is very close and will be our comfort and strength if we only trust in his abundant love.
“I give them eternal life; they will never be lost, and no one will ever steal them from my hand.” John10:29
Let us pray for all in our world who are suffering, and in need of courage, strength and trust in God’s goodness, to carry their burdens.
We can be confident of God’s abundant love, protection, guidance every day, if we trust and respond to his invitation, as the Psalmist reminds us:
Psalm 100- We are his people the sheep of his flock
Cry out with joy to the Lord all you earth
Serve the Lord with Gladness.
Come before him singing for joy.
Know that he the Lord is God.
He made us we belong to him,
We are his people the sheep of his flock.
Indeed, how good is the Lord
Eternal his merciful love.
He is faithful from age to age.
John 10: 27-30
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost, and no one will ever steal them from me. The Father, who gave them to me, is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father. The Father and I are one.
The Gospel of the Lord