Among young people, there is something very important, something they long for: it is a sense of identity and a sense of belonging.
In fact, most people are striving to attain this: to be recognized for who they are, and to be accepted as such.
But we need first to get the awareness of who we are, to recognize what makes up the unique individual that we are!
This is true also of our identity as believers.
Many of those reading these lines are Christians, followers of Christ.
The readings of today’s celebration contribute to our understanding of who we are.
The 2nd reading and the gospel present God as a shepherd, our shepherd.
But it is the Psalm that reveals who we truly are (Psalm 100:1-3,5):
“Know that he, the Lord, is God,
he made us and we belong to him,
we are his people, the flock that he pastures.”
We are God’s creation, God’s own people – we are his, precious to him since we are the work of his hands.
The text of the Psalm says that “we are the flock that he pastures.”
Our modern world with all its technical and technological aspects may not find this expression meaningful.
It may consider the image of shepherd as a poetic expression not truly relevant to our existence, we, people of the 21st century!
But, if we pay attention to the concept of shepherding, we discover its true meaning of:
watching over,
providing for,
caring for,
searching for if lost,
healing if wounded,
leading to safety…
… all that we are in need of and are longing for…
Now… always… for ever…
It is precisely what is offered to us – the vision of John the Apostle in the 2nd reading assures us of this (Revelation 7:9,14-17):
« Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst…
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/4e-dimanche-de-paques-annee-c-2025/
Source: Images: unsplash.com (Duy Pham) (Ekrem Osmanoglu) https://www.scripture-images.com/bible-verse/gw/revelation-7-17-gw.php