Christ, the Good Shepherd

It’s easy to look upon lambs and sheep as gentle creatures. Yet this is the image and symbol for Christ. Unlike the symbols for the 4 authors of the Gospels so wonderfully illustrated in our stained glass windows; we have John as an Eagle because his Gospel begins with Jesus existing in heaven as "the Word of God" before he came to earth. Mark as a Loin because his Gospel begins with John the Baptist, whose preaching is described as a voice crying in the wilderness like the roar of a lion. Luke as an ox,   signifying His sacrificial and sacerdotal order because Luke opens with a narrative involving priestly duties and temple services. Matthew is the face of a powerful man because his Gospel opens with a human genealogy of Jesus and because Jesus' humanity is emphasized throughout the book. 

Dr. Scott Hahn in his book, “The Lamb’s Supper” says other titles would seem more worthy for Jesus, and rank higher on the list of animals like a lion who is kingly, but instead, the Lamb in Revelations, “rules, occupies heaven, leads hundreds of thousands in battle to defeat evil is in the center of the throne, and will Shepherd every nation and people, and lead them to springs of life-giving water, wiping away every tear from their eyes”. 

Here he makes the connection of the Lamb of God to the Eucharist, the sacrifice of the Mass that we participate every time we gather for the Lord’s Supper. 

When we read the accounts in the Gospels that use the image of Jesus as the Lamb, or a shepherd, we realize more and more that this is an imagery of strength and leadership, but one of intimacy, mercy, confidence, and peace

It’s interesting that Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd. He was after all he was a carpenter. But throughout the Gospels, he says things like, “I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and they know me”. He tells Peter, “Feed my sheep”. And there is that frightening passage in Matthew 25 about separating the sheep from the goats at his second coming. 

A Good Shepherd is one who delights in his flock and devotes himself to the care of his flock. A Good Shepherd’s greatest joy is seeing his sheep well-nourished and content in his care. A Good Shepherd protects his flock at whatever the cost from predators. A Good Shepherd is constantly on the watch for lost sheep; and will even forsake the whole flock to find the one who is lost. A Good Shepherd feeds us with the Eucharist, and with his love of his community of faith and blesses us so much, that our cup is running over. 

Let us come together today in our Parish Eucharistic Celebration that concludes this afternoon, and celebrate our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.