Shepherding God’s Flock from the Heart

Homily: Fourth Sunday of Easter (B)

John 10: 11-18

25 April 2021 

Fr. Ricky C. Montanez, AA

It isn’t easy to care for someone — to be responsible for the well-being of another person.  Husbands and wives are responsible for each other. Parents are responsible for their kids. And when kids grow up, they become responsible for their ageing parents. Employers are also challenged to look after the welfare of their employees. It Isn’t easy.  Even us priests encounter challenges when we pastor communities. Sometimes, it can even be very discouraging. Any one of you who fills any of the shoes I mentioned, will agree that caring for someone is never a walk in the park because caring for another requires something not everyone is willing to give — a sacrifice of self. 

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday and the gospel passage brings up a much-loved image of Jesus.   In the gospel reading, we hear Jesus speak of Himself as the “Good Shepherd” who lays down His life for the sheep.  Unlike the hired hand who merely treats the sheep as simply an element of his job — livestock to be managed, the shepherd, who owns the flock, considers every single one of the sheep as the object of his love and concern. Jesus knew that the people would identify with this comparison as shepherding was common in Israel at the time. For the Jews a good shepherd knows the flock well enough and cares a great deal for them to the point of risking his own safety for each one under his care. He is faithful to his duties and protects the sheep from all dangers and threats. For the shepherd, the sheep come first. He is totally committed to the well-being of the sheep that he would sacrifice his own life for them.  

In the gospels, particularly Chapter 10 of John’s Gospel, Jesus is portrayed as that kind of leader for His people. He takes good care of every single one of those entrusted to Him by the Father. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) As a Good Shepherd, Jesus exhibits exceptional commitment to His flock that He would go searching for lost sheep and bring them back to the fold. In the Synoptic gospels, Jesus as the Good Shepherd is portrayed as the shepherd who would go as far as leaving 99 of His sheep to find one lost sheep. This is how dedicated and responsible the Good Shepherd is towards His flock. 

It is not only Good Shepherd Sunday; it is also Vocation Sunday.  For far too long we have had a narrow understanding of vocation as a calling to the priestly or religious life. But, in fact every single one of us has a vocation. We all have a role to play in society. We, as individuals, have unique gifts that we share with one another, contributing to the collective good of society. We all have a mission in life to accomplish as fathers, mothers, workers, students, employers, law enforcers, media practitioners, medical workers, leaders, etc…. We are called upon to be good shepherds to one another according to the gifts and talents we have been given.  We already have the privilege of experiencing our Good Shepherd’s care for us so it is but right that we are invited to be good shepherds to one another. We do this according to the example of Jesus who shows compassion for each of His sheep, seeking them out when they stray and has loved them unconditionally. 

It may seem like a daunting challenge to be shepherd to those around us because we might think ourselves undeserving or incapable. At times we think that what we can offer is too menial, too negligible to make a difference in people’s lives. We must however learn from Jesus who never discounts the value of each member of His flock.  The Shepherd would not hunt for a single animal if he did not think it valuable. We too, as members of Jesus’ flock are individually of value. Each is gifted. Each is blessed. There is always something that we can give, if we choose to give freely and generously of ourselves.  The controversial community pantries encourage people to give from their excess that others who have nothing may benefit.  It’s a wonderful idea!   But it touches the heart more when those who are already in need, give from the little they have. Recall the Bible story of the Widow’s Might where Jesus speaks highly of a poor widow whom He saw giving 2 small coins for the Temple.  He says she gave the most because she gave all she had as compared to the rich folk who gave generously from their excess to be publicly acknowledged. I am reminded of Manong Romeo.. a simple man featured on social media, who handed P46, the amount he raised from selling metal scraps as cash donation to the Integrated Centre for the Young. They thought at first that Mang Romeo was looking to get some goods from the ICY Community Pantry which had already closed for the day but to their surprise Mang Romeo donated whatever he earned because he wanted to be of help in any way he can. In another story, an 11-year-old boy used his talent for baking to make cupcakes that he donated to their community pantry. We must acknowledge and celebrate the countless others who like them give from the little that they have to help others. 

In a post I chanced upon recently it said… “I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakeable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionise the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.” One clear lesson taught by Jesus through this gospel account has to do with having a clear willingness to give, regardless of how small the gift might be. This brings to mind what St. Teresa of Calcutta said: “What we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.” 

Brothers and sisters, on this Good Shepherd Sunday, let us learn from Jesus and do whatever we can do for others, regardless of how menial or negligible it may seem to us, let us do it out of love. Our small efforts may seem insignificant to us, but it could very well be the blessing others have been waiting and praying for all along. Let us be good shepherds to one another, treating one another as brothers and sisters as we are all the beloved children of God, our Father!

Illustration by Claudio Pastro