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Jesus Good Shepherd

34th Sunday of Year A, Feast of Christ the King – 2023

24 novembre 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: compassion, concern and care, dominion, Jesus Good Shepherd, John 10:11, judgement, Matthew 25:31-46

Today’s feast celebrates Christ as King of the universe.
But, in the texts of our celebration, God is presented not as a king but as… a SHEPHERD.
This is how he wants to be known.
Both the first reading (Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17), and the gospel text (Matthew 25:31-46), describe him as such.

We see him searching for the lost, rescuing those in darkness,
showing them where to rest, bringing back the stray,
bandaging the wounded and making the weak strong.
watching over all of them…

And it is to a shepherd that Jesus has identified himself as he said:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

In the gospel text, He invites us to have for others the same concern and care that he has for us, his sheep.
In fact, it will be on this very attitude that we will be judged –
not only on what we did but also… on what we did not do!…

We celebrate, not his dominion, but his compassion.
And he expects us to show this compassion to all those we live and meet with…

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at:https://image-i-nations.com/34e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-christ-roi-2023/

 

Source: Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

4th Sunday of Easter, Year C – 2022

6 mai 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: eternal life, follow, God Father, Jesus Good Shepherd, John 10:27-30, listen, security, serenity

A theology lesson in 4 Bible verses – this is what the text of this Sunday’s gospel offers us (John 10:27-30).
Such a short text and so rich is the reality it describes.

This 4th Easter Sunday is known as Good Shepherd Sunday as it focuses on Jesus, the Risen Lord, as our Shepherd.
What the words describe, what the text affirms, is really amazing.
It offers us a promise of belonging, of security, and a gift beyond what we could imagine: eternal life!

“My sheep listen to my voice;
I know them, 
and they follow me. 
 I give them eternal life, 
and they shall never perish; 
no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Christ knows us, yes, just as we are, deeply, truly…
He gives us eternal life, his own life, the very life that he shares with the Father.

That is, of course, if…
We listen to his voice and follow him,
then, we shall never perish – an assurance with no condition attached, other than that of following him…

And, Christ adds that nobody can take us away from him – the Father vouches for that!

What could be added to this that would anchor us in more security and give us deeper serenity?…

Note: Another reflection, on a different theme, is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/4e-dimanche-de-paques-annee-c-2022/

 

Source: Image: Michael Youssef

4th Sunday of Easter, Year B

20 avril 2018
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, believe, caring, Concern, daily life, fog, Frederick Forsyth, Jesus Good Shepherd, Jn.10:11-18, lost, needs, Ps.119:176, safety, sheep, shepherd, trust, wandering

The gospel of this Sunday (4th Sunday of Easter, Year B – Jn.10:11-18) is well known with its text on the Good Shepherd.
The words of Jesus are familiar and the picture they suggest to our minds is one similar to the picture here – a man concerned about his sheep and caring for his flock.

The example may not speak to our daily life in modern cities far away from a village in Palestine of old.
However, a book published by a well-known author expresses very well in a modern metaphor what the message of Jesus is about.
I speak of the book The Shepherd of Frederick Forsyth – not intended for spiritual reading but with rich spiritual overtones that can inspire us!

It is the story of a pilot going home for Christmas and, suddenly, his aircraft suffers a complete electrical failure en route. Lost in fog and with little fuel left, he fears the worse. Literally out of the blue and absolutely unexpected. he is met and led (or shepherded) by another pilot who has apparently been sent up to guide him and bring him to land safely.

You will say it is a clever plot from a no less clever author, and you are right.
But, strange to say – and is it really strange? – our own life can provide us with no less wonderful experiences.
We, too, can feel lost in the occasional fog of daily living and our energy may be low, depleted by the struggle to cope day after day…

To me, today’s gospel presents us someone, yes Someone, who is aware and who cares – aware of

  • who we are,
  • what we are faced with,
  • what we need.

Aware, indeed he is, and he cares – he cares enough to provide for our needs
and more abundantly than we could ever dream of!

A fairy tale? No!
A fascinating thriller? Not at all!
The on-going experience of someone (it can be you and me) who dares to believe, to trust,
and to say with the Psalmist:

“I am wandering like a lost sheep;
come and look for your servant..   (Ps.119:176)
 
Note: Another reflection is available in French on a different theme at: https://image-i-nations.com/4e-dimanche-de-paques-annee-b/

Source: Images: catholicteacherresources.com  pinterest.com
Book illustration: Wikipedia