Sunday Gospel Comment
Alberic Jacovone OSB
YEAR A FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER - 17.4.05 Acts 2,14.36-41; 1 Pet 2,20-25; Jn 10,1-10 In pastures green, he leadeth A
pastor provides pasture.
Today, is ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’: we pray for carers in society,
Church & family & we pray for vocations. A Latin word for shepherd
is ‘Pastor’ from it derive the concepts of ‘ pastor & pastoral
activity’. In essence, the pastor is one who takes to pasture
the sheep who in turn are pastured = given re-past &
nourishment. A ‘pastor’ is one
who provides pasture, guidance, defence & care - all in one. With these
connotations, we acknowledge in our Church, the need for caring leaders who in
turn are properly formed, trained & able to provide nourishment, at a
spiritual & material level. Today, as we pray for vocations, we ask that
many may dedicate time & talent, as priests, religious sisters &
brothers and as lay pastoral ministers. The logic of ‘pastor & pasture’
comes to us from our ancient culture, when shepherds wondered with their sheep
in search of pasture, often travelling many miles. At night they would build an
enclosure, to keep the sheep together & safe from predators. Often the
shepherd would form a human gate,
by sleeping at the entrance of the enclosure. A key note in the Bible is that
God is our true shepherd. Against all perils & dangers, all plunderers &
evildoers, God is our only refuge. John’s Gospel makes this claim even more
clear in presenting Jesus as ‘good shepherd’ who gives his life so we may
have life in abundance. He is Word & Wisdom Incarnate. He came not to
dominate & destroy but to suffer for us - to identify with the oppressed
& to give his life as a lamb lead to the slaughter. Today’s Gospel has
this to proclaim to us: Jesus is ‘only way - only gatekeeper - only gate to go
in or out’: no matter what happens, continue to trust in your Risen Lord,
suffer with Him & move on. Nourishment:
Word & Sacrament. The traditional image of the ‘good shepherd’ needs to be seen in its
context of sheepfold, gateway & Church: Jesus warned against divisions &
prayed for unity among Christians: one shepherd, one flock, one Church. In this
year of the Eucharist, it makes absolute sense that we give meaning to our
Lord’s concern for Church unity. The Eucharist is the Sacrament of love.
Beautifully the late Pope John Paul II, in his letter “The Lord’s Day”
lists the ways, by which the Lord feeds us at our Eucharistic celebrations &
prepares us to live its many aspects. We are fed at the table of the Word &
of the Eucharistic. As we gather in Christian fellowship, we are nourished, live
& grow at all levels. Especially at Holy Communion our Risen Lord cares for
us, strengthens us and invites us to live through, with & in Him. In the
loving union with Him, he opens before our eyes ways by which we too can be for
other people a person who cares, serves & sacrifices him/herself, so we may
all have life in abundance. Today’s Gospel reminds us that the sheep depend on
the shepherd to lead them safely from pasture to pasture & then safely back
home. In the same trusting way, we are invited to depend on, & be nourished
by, our Eucharistic Lord. Our Good shepherd ever present & living among us,
never stops inviting us: ‘Come to me all you who are hurting &
overburdened, & I will give you rest’. At the same time He continues to
invite each of us to provide food & care to one other. As we pray for
vocations, let each of us feel drawn to be a provider & protector for
someone in need. It is not just for his time that Jesus
bemoans situations where brigands & terrorists destroy & scatter.
Even at our time we need to listen anew, & follow the voice of Jesus, &
work selflessly, so those we love may have life in abundance. Lord, may we be
good shepherds under your care. ______________________________________ |
