Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Joan of Arc…
These names are familiar to many.
Also their personalities are widely accepted and respected by most of us.
The reason is they were good in their duty.
They were good leaders, who lived for a noble cause.
That means to be good is always welcome in our world.
We too try to be good as we can: may be we have some other conditions for the goodness: mostly they are superficial - to have a good house, good education, good job, good family, good friends, good manners and so on.
One may not hesitate to express if one merits some goodness…
It is also a truth that for many their life is a competition to be better or to be the best.
In the Gospel today, Jesus is proclaiming himself as the good shepherd.
He is not hesitating to declare this truth. Because, Jesus was sure about his goodness and his call. He is also sure of the hardships he has to face by being good. Then the gospel tells: “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”. Yes, the sacrifice, at the end is very important. He proves it through his life, through the sacrificial life for all the people.
All these have an explanation:
Jesus had great trust and hope in his Heavenly father,
who can rise him up from all these hardships.
Of course this is what distinguishes Jesus from other adorable leaders of the world. He spread the hope, Faith and love of enemies and lived it to his end.
He was at the same time the shepherd and the sacrificial lamb.
My dear friends,
The Gospel of good shepherd is not something just to listen and praise the greatness of Jesus. But we can see a hidden call behind this gospel.
Placing this Gospel in the Easter time,
Church has surely something to remind us;
the good shepherd and the crucified and resurrected Jesus is the same.
This gospel passage teaches us:
As Jesus was the shepherd, we too are called to follow his great example.
We too are entrusted to be good shepherds in this world.
We are called to spread good words (Good News = Gospel),
to encourage others,
to witness faith, hope, love and other human values
through our sacrificial life.
This Easter time asks us to refresh our calls.
Because, we are called to be shepherds:
We are also the sheep.
We are called to carry out our responsibilities in love and concern of others.
We are called to carry our cross in patience as Jesus did.
To be good can be painful and may need sacrifice.
But this is not the end. It is only the way.
The life of Jesus is the example and inspiration.
What we need is the trust in God; hope in his promise;
Perseverance in our call.
May the example of Jesus help us to be good shepherds in our world! Amen.
- Fr Thomas Kalathil
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