The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd tenderly carrying a sheep on his shoulders was one of the earliest images of Jesus in Christian art. It was found in the Roman catacombs, the ancient cemeteries outside the city of Rome where the early Christian martyrs were buried. It has remained a much-loved image of Jesus throughout the centuries.

Jesus teaches “I am the Good Shepherd” in this week’s reading from the Gospel of John. Hence, this Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday.

In the reading Jesus speaks evocatively of the relationship between the good shepherd and the sheep of his flock. “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” The good shepherd knowns his sheep so well that he knows them by name! They know him. They listen to his voice. He cares for them. They trust him. He leads them. They follow him.  Indeed, the good shepherd, unlike a hired hand, lays down his life for his sheep. It is a relationship of trust, faithfulness, steadfast care and unwavering love.  

Jesus goes on to speak just as evocatively of the relationship between himself and the Father: “My Father who has given them [the sheep] to me is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

The Father and I are one: this is an astonishing claim! Indeed, it will heighten the animosity in those religious authorities who oppose Jesus and escalate the already growing tension that will ultimately lead to his death.

In declaring that “the Father and I are one,” Jesus is identifying himself with the God of Israel, the Shepherd whose praises resound in today’s Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 99): “God, he made us, we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep of his flock.”

That “the Father and I are one” means that Jesus, the good shepherd, is the very image of the Father, as Good Shepherd.

This much-loved image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and our reading from John’s Gospel remind us to keep our eyes on him, to listen to him, to follow him, and to hold firm to our faith and our trust in him.  He is truly the Good Shepherd. He has laid down his life for us. His resurrection is the promise of ours. He calls us to live lives of faith, hope and charity, caring for our neighbour and for all creation.

As we prayed in the Responsorial Psalm, let us rejoice and be glad, for “how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.” We are his people, the sheep of his flock. Alleluia.

And on this Mothers’ Day, let us also give thanks for our mothers, and for all those people in our lives who have cared for us and shepherded us on life’s journey.

Anne Hunt

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