THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

IV EASTER SUNDAY - John 10:1-10

We are going through difficult times, surrounded by very dark clouds and with an uncertain future ahead. The coronavirus pandemic took the world by surprise and, so far, the most affected countries are the rich ones. We took good life for granted and we behaved as if we were at the top of the world. The pandemic has shown that life is the most precious gift; however, it is a very fragile gift, which must be taken good care of. Life has to be nurtured, protected and defended. This pandemic has shown to us in uncertain terms that our life depends on the life of the others. I cannot have a meaningful life alone, excluding the others or putting their lives in danger.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus makes clear the purpose of his coming: “I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” We came so that we find meaning and purpose for our lives. In communion with him, our lives are worthy of living. and we can be at peace with ourselves since we are at peace with the others and with God. In order to explain his role in our lives, Jesus resorts to the old prophetic language of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, where they refer to the people of Israel as God’s flock and to their political and religious leaders as the shepherds. Jesus speaks as well of the sheep, the sheepfold and the shepherd. The sheep (the true people of God - his disciples) recognise his voice and listen to him. Jesus presents himself both as the gate and as the shepherd. He is the gate since only through him we can find life to the full. He is the only way to God. He is the only Saviour. Only through this gate can we enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If we try other gates, we are out of the way, we got lost and will not find true life and salvation. Jesus presents himself as well as the Good Shepherd, the one cares for the sheep and gives his life for them, so that they may find a place of rest. And all shepherds - that is all kinds of leaders - must look to Jesus as their role model, putting themselves totally at the service of the others. The attitude of service is the only attitude that makes peace possible. When we walk along that path, we can find life to the full, because we will share in the resurrection fo Christ.