Second Sunday after Easter- The Good Shepherd- John 10:11-16

This Sunday has often been called Good Shepherd Sunday because of the Gospel from St. John 10:11-16. This short selection can be approached in a number of ways, but the key idea, as in much of St. John's Gospel, is the identity of Jesus Christ. Two times in these verses, Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd" ( St. John 10: 11 and 14). These are "I AM" sayings where Christ alludes to His divine nature (see Exodus 3:14). Indeed, throughout the Old Testament, the primary shepherd is the Lord God (for example, Psalm 23). This is a unique role; Christ is not just "a" good shepherd, but rather "the" good shepherd. 

Some of the things that being the good shepherd means are highlighted in our Gospel. Jesus says, "the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (10:11- and in slightly different words in 10:15). An ordinary conscientious shepherd faces danger for his sheep, but Christ the Good Shepherd does more. He offers Himself as a sacrifice for His flock. This refers to the unique redemptive work of Jesus through His Passion and Death. 

The overwhelming significance of His self-offering is further developed later in John 10. There our Lord points out that since He lays down His life voluntarily, He can also take His life up again (10:17-18). In other words, the Good Shepherd does more than just die for His sheep. He also rises to life again and continues to care for His flock. Christ the Good Shepherd is not like a hired hand who does not have a sense of ownership. Instead, Christ can affirm, "I am the good shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of mine, even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father" (10:14). The relationship between Christ and His flock is deeply personal and loving; it reflects the relationship between God the Father and God the Son. There is a closeness and a deep knowledge of one another. There is an abiding and profound commitment to mutual well-being. 

This close relationship between Christ and His sheep has further implications for Christ's flock, that is to say, for His Church. Our Lord sums it up in these words, "And other sheep I have... and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd" (10:15). The close tie that the sheep have with their Good Shepherd means that they also have a close tie with each other. Even if they are scattered among different folds and have never met one another, they are still united because of their relationship with their shepherd. All true followers of Christ are related to each other. This relationship among believers is not their accomplishment; it is Christ's. In this world, Christians may be better or worse at expressing their unity in Christ. But the unity already exists; it is an underlying reality based on our unity with Christ Himself.