Today’s Gospel reading gives us a beautiful visual of Jesus as the Good Shepherd as He tells us. “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep.” And again “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved”
I don’t mind being considered a “sheep” as long as I’m following the Good Shepherd, who is also the Lamb of God
There are a lot of Basque shepherds in the area surrounding where I live. I have been told that sheep are smelly creatures, can be stubborn, and are known to be stupid.
Why do you suppose God likened us to sheep? Why did God make repeated references to His son as “the Lamb of God” and “the Good Shepherd”? Does he think of us as dumb animals?
It would appear, from the way we often behave, that we are indeed “stubborn” and even “stupid”, especially when we stray away from God, whom we know is the source of all good.
How many times have we been led astray, following wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing? We listen to those who speak with flowery words, captivate our senses with false promises, and lead us on the path to destruction. This path is not difficult to follow, especially if we are tuned in to today’s media, who continually remind us that everything revolves around us. If it makes you feel good, then it must be good, totally disregarding the voice of our conscience guiding us in what’s right and what’s wrong.
Stay Close to the Good Shepherd
There are many false prophets out there, each one clamoring louder for our attention. It is hard to hear the voice of God in all this confusion.
But Jesus reminds us, in the words of the Responsorial Psalm: “I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.”
Let us be smart sheep then, and stay close to our Good Shepherd. Follow the statutes and teaching of the Catholic Church as they have been passed down to us through the centuries, starting with St. Peter, our first Pope. Note that the Pope always carries his crozier, the shepherd’s crook, to lead us wayward sheep back into the fold.
Deep down in our hearts, we all know the Master’s voice. Christ, the Good Shepherd has called us to follow Him as He will lead us through the gate into Heaven.
