John 10:1-10
1 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.
9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
"He calls His sheep by name and leads them out"
At least seven times in the Gospel according to St. John, Jesus Speaks about Himself using the words "I am."
I am the bread of life, John 6:35
I am the light of the world, John 8:12
I am the gate, John 10:9
I am the good shepherd, John 10:11,14
I am the Resurrection and the life, John 11:26
I am the way and the truth and the life John 14:6
I am the vine, John 15:1, 5.
The Old Testament refers to God as a shepherd. "The Lord is my shepherd." Psalm 23:1 and Isaiah 40:11, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart…”
Last week, when visiting the Shepherds Field near Bethlehem, I asked a shepherd how he would describe the personality and the role of a good shepherd today. He gave me the following requirements and qualities that a good shepherd should have:
Be fully committed to his job day and night;
Have a clear knowledge of the surrounding area where he needs to lead his sheep;
Give continuous care for all the sheep, especially the young and the sick ones;
Have a loving relationship with the sheep, giving each a name and calling it by this name;
Allow the sheep to enjoy a pleasant rest while he plays some music with his flute;
Be an experienced leader who goes before the sheep that follow him;
Be a trustworthy leader so that the sheep know his voice, trust and enjoy his treatment of each of them;
Be ready to offer himself for the safety of his sheep and protect them from any danger;
Share the good gifts (like the milk and wool) of his sheep with others; and
Hopefull to see his herd grow with new lambs.
This Sunday's Gospel addresses a message to Church leaders and civil, national leaders on how to live with their responsibilities. It offers models of the best leadership, not to please popular streams, but to act with their conscience and in God's will.
St. Peter, in his first letter, writes to the priests and pastors, "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be: not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." I Peter 5:2-3.
We are invited to pray for these leaders and, if needed, remind them of their expected, optimal ministry following Jesus' model as the good Shepherd.
