“I am the good shepherd. a good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” I remember our seminary professor telling us that in Israel, during the time of Jesus, many sheepfolds had fences but there were no gates. The shepherd, himself, was also the gate for the sheep. It is scary and daunting to be a shepherd, a good one. He will be the gate who stops thieves, bandits, wolves and other wild animals from hurting, abusing and killing the sheep. Is it all worth it? That is how the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Anyone can be a shepherd but only a good shepherd will lay down his life for the sheep.
We live in a very difficult and challenging time. Doubts, fears, uncertainties and insecurities can be overwhelming. There may be bad shepherds looking for opportunities to take advantage of the vulnerable sheep. We have to be vigilant. We have to be proactive in protecting one another from all types of harms. We need to encourage more empathy and mutual responsibility. Sometimes, we may be called to make the supreme sacrifice of putting our lives at risk in protecting the sheep. As for the sheep who are on the verge of losing faith and hope, let us constantly remind them of Jesus’ reassuring and comforting words, “I will lay down my life for the sheep.”
“I know mine and mine know me.” We are Jesus’ sheep if we know Him. If we know Him, we will recognise His voice and will follow Him. And in following Him, we, too, will become good shepherds to one another. How can we know Jesus? We can know Jesus through the scriptures, prayers, sacraments and liturgy, the church and through one another for we are all created in the image and likeness of God.
Today we especially pray for vocations to the priesthood. We pray for men who will lay down their lives for the sheep. May they have enough courage and strength to embark on this journey of becoming good shepherds. May they inspire the sheep to smell like Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Blessings,
Fr Gilbert Ramos
