Redwood Journal

4th Sunday of Easter ~ 21 April 2024 ~ Scripture Readings for Mass: I: Acts 4: 8 – 12; Responsorial: Psalm 118; II: I John 3: 1-2; Gospel: John 10: 11 – 18

Our Easter journey continues. From the dark sorrows of our Lord’s Passion to the fathomless joy and hope of his resurrection, we seek and follow our risen Savior, Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Scripture shares many essential lessons about Christ, the Shepherd of our souls. Both the Old and New Testaments provide essential light and power to this blessed reality of God. But it is in the light of the resurrection we are brought to learn of a distinctively redemptive perspective of Jesus.

There seems to be an odd contrast from our Scriptures this Sunday. There is a clear message of the peril and failure of the Jews in Jerusalem in their rejection of Christ as the Messiah. This “stone the builders rejected” has dark roots and a legacy of doubt and rebellion. While Peter, in his message shared from the Book of Acts, is speaking to and of the Jews it is much deeper and broader. Peter, and later Paul, devout Jews themselves, will continue to confront the sin and failures of the Hebrews AND the Gentiles, of us all. No part of humanity is free from sin, rebellion, and failure of God. This is evident in any objective history. It is very evident in the news of the world today. Violence, pride, greed, and the lack of justice and mercy infect us all. As it was horrendously revealed in our Lord’s Passion so it is found today. Nations, families, places, and people of worship all have the dark ability to reject the priceless stone, the cornerstone of God.

But then, in our readings for the Liturgy of the Word, we hear God speak of Jesus the Good Shepherd. And we might wonder, what is the connection? This connection is found as we look at sheep and look to Jesus our Shepherd.

Sheep, as cute and cuddly as they may seem, especially lambs, do not have reputations for intelligence, faithfulness, or courage. They often fail to understand or learn the way they should go. They need constant guidance. Sheep may foolishly follow God knows what, astray to danger and harm. Sheep are very Biblical examples of… us, of people. Sheep, people often reject the very blessing and good they need. They often reject the cornerstones of faith and life, of Jesus.

Yet, sheep bring us to the Good Shepherd. [A sorrowful reality is that there are indeed, false shepherds who serve only their pride and personal agendas. But that is another study]. It is good to wade our way through the flock. The stubborn ones, those especially dirty and smelly, those sheep that would as soon buck you as follow you, or those simply so unobservant as to miss life. As we wade our way through the flock we come to Jesus. And we realize what makes, and who it is that is the Good Shepherd. And this Easter season we meet the Shepherd from the Tomb.

The preeminent sign of the Good Shepherd is that he gives his life for the sheep. Jesus died for us. Ornery, stubborn, often grubby, and rebellious, but he died for us. And in his sacred holiness, he conquered our darkest enemies, sin and death. And he came from the tomb to guide us on to His Father.

The Good Shepherd knows his sheep and that they are priceless. He knows our worth. Yes, he is totally aware of the waste and devaluing that comes with sin and rejecting him. But God knows what lies hidden beneath the tangled dirty fleece of our lives. Some shepherds may seek and care only for those sheep who follow, placidly. Who aren’t wandering or wondering. They take pleasure in their flock that only feeds in approved pastures. To deal with the wandering, lost, soiled or injured lamb is often more trouble than the worth they see in such souls. But the Good Shepherd, Jesus came and comes to seek that which is lost. And something profoundly amazing is discovered as we follow Emmanuel, Jesus. He knows each sheep’s name. Including mine.

To have such a connection with the flock is hard. It takes effort, time and sacrifice to live and learn, listen, and… love those in his care. But Christ does. He knows your name, your immense value, and each sin or failure that may be experienced. And, yet, Jesus still seeks us. He went so far as the tomb and Hades and he isn’t going to stop now.

And then, as we continue to follow him we discover something else. At first, it is hard. It seems it ought not to be. But God has flocks beside the one in which I am a part! There are sheep, flocks, and pastures of which I was totally unaware. And they are beautiful with God. Indeed Jesus the Christ is the only true Shepherd. But I continue to learn I am his sheep. It is not for me to tell him how, where, or why to lead others as he does. There is only one Shepherd. But there are many ways God may lead.

Finally, we are led to realize Jesus, knowing who we are, the children of God, is leading us to be, to become who we are, with and in him. It is from the tomb the Good Shepherd brings us on this El Camino de Emmanuel, to follow him. He rescues and heals us from our follies and failures. He brings us to grow in mercy and forgiveness. We, as sheep have no real clue what lies ahead, in our lives, our families, and our church. Except! That with the Good Shepherd we will be with our God, with Jesus, and that He is leading us home to the fullness of His Kingdom.