Things to Ponder
I use this page to share messages of an inspirational nature, or simply something to ponder. It is my hope that you will always be inspired.
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Homily Reflections - John 10:27-30 - Fourth Sunday of Easter
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Introduction: What Kind of Leader Am I?
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also called Good Shepherd Sunday. In each of the three lectionary cycles, our Gospel is always taken from the 10th chapter of the Gospel of John. This chapter follows Jesus’ healing of the man born blind and the rejection of this miracle by Jewish leaders who question Jesus’ authority to heal. Jesus responds to this challenge to his authority by calling himself the Good Shepherd.
Set in a moment of tension and conflict, Jesus boldly asserts his authority and pastoral leadership with the familiar and beautiful metaphor: I am the Good Shepherd –an image that speaks to us about the protection, security, and care that shepherds represent for their sheep.
The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and the community of believers as his sheep has endured over the centuries as a primary image in our faith tradition. In fact, the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd can be found etched on the walls on the early catacombs outside Rome.
In this Sunday’s passage, John highlights the intimacy between Jesus and his followers: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. No one can take them out of my hand.” For Jesus, this is not just merely a “9 to 5 job!” It is a love-in-action friendship which defines Jesus’ identity and relationship with us today.
As with so much of John’s Gospel (a Gospel full of so many layers of meaning), we today hear John’s particular focus on Christology (who Jesus is) and the pastoral characteristics of his leadership: loving; caring; merciful; forgiving; welcoming, affirming.
And we ask ourselves today:
How do we ourselves measure up to this “out of this world” leadership model?
What kind of a leader am I at work, in my parish, with my family, with my friends and neighbors?
I would invite you to take time to read and ponder the words from the Gospel of John 10:27-30.
What word or words caught your attention?
What in this passage comforted/challenged you?
Further Questions and Reflections:
In what ways does the image of “good shepherd” resonate with me? In what ways do I struggle with this image?
Recall times in your own life when you have been “shepherded.” Have I ever seen myself as a shepherd for others? Name those times and people.
Do you experience God’s love as pure “gift” or do you believe that you have to “earn” it?
“I know them.” What parts of my heart do I try to hide from God?
As the Good Shepherd, Jesus welcomes everyone. He invites me in. Where am I?
Deacon David
Deacon David
Deacon David Suley
St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church
Silver Spring, Maryland
Published with Permission
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