4th Sunday of Easter, May 11, 2014
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
It seems like today so many people are dog owners. Man’s best friend provides companionship and fidelity for countless people. This relationship can be mutually beneficial if the dog is well trained. You see experts, such as Caesar Milan, tell us that a happy and healthy dog is one who knows his place in the pack.
The above video is of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy.
It may sound rather subservient to us as humans, but we must remember that dogs are animals that thrive on pack living. Their brains are wired to live and function within a structured group. In the pack, the leadership role is essential. In our “family it will either go to the owner or the dog. Will we walk the dog or will it walk us? This is a humorous thought, but haven’t we seen many dogs walking people? In a healthy human/dog relationship, the owner will walk in front of the animal. Dogs will be content with this and even appreciate their well-defined role in the pack.
How Jesus relates to his flock
Now obviously we are talking about animals because this is what we could call “Good Shepherd Sunday” or when the Gospel speaks to us of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. No, we are not animals. Human beings were created in the Image of God with a reason and a Will. We can choose freely, but animals act on instinct with a much lesser intelligence. Despite this fact, the shepherd analogy can help us understand how Jesus tells us that He relates to His flock or His people.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who goes into the sheepfold and leads out His flock into good pastures. The Gospel today tells us that “he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him”. This all should sound familiar! Dog owners walk ahead of their pet and the animal follows them. We lead our animals in the best way that we can because we love them and they are dependent upon us. Analogously, the Lord leads us through life and its dangers to the Eternal Life of Communion with the Most Blessed Trinity.
Everyone yearns to be in heaven. Each and every legitimate desire of the human heart is in some way or another is intended to be fulfilled in eternal life. Yet, sometimes we lose our way or get distracted along the way. The Gospel tells us that the Good Shepherd is always there looking for us.
Yes, there is a Good Shepherd
There are many different reasons that people can get lost. First, we may not know that there is a Good Shepherd. It’s hard to imagine, but some don’t know that there is one shepherd of the flock. This is clearly stated by St Peter in the first reading, “God has made both Lord and Christ this Jesus whom you crucified.” As Pope Francis says, in our times we must reclaim the centrality of Jesus Christ in our lives. He is the only Savior of the world.
Why would God, who loves us beyond understanding, leave us here with multiple different paths and no sure guide? Yes, all can be saved whether Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and/or anyone who seeks God with a sincere heart. Yet, the Christianity is based on the firm premise that whether knowing or unknowing, all are saved through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of the one Savior of the World. We respect all religions as having aspects of truth, but Christ is God Man possessing the fullness of Truth.
Recognizing His voice
The second reason we become lost is that we don’t know, or as the Gospel says “recognize his voice”. Our Good Shepherd leads us along a safe and secure path. Those who are his sheep “recognize his voice” among all the other voices. Many today feel confused. They yearn to do what is right, but they lack guidance and discernment. Simply, they need to develop and intimate a relationship with the Lord. We must have a real relationship with Jesus as intimate as a spouse or a best friend. This takes time and effort to pray each day. We can start small and gradually grow in our intimacy with the God of Love. Then, as time goes by, we will become sensitive to the voice of the shepherd. It will become clear when He is speaking to us in prayer, through others, and even through everyday circumstances.
God has created us for greatness. Union with Him in heaven is the fulfillment of every legitimate human desire. The road is difficult for those who have no guide. But, for those who follow the Good Shepherd it is a much more secure path. He leads us along refreshing waters and green pastures. We avoid the pitfalls of life, because we recognize His voice and stay near the One who really cares for us. For those who know and follow the Shepherd all things work together for their good. They will find ultimate fulfillment in the next life where a kingdom has been prepared for all who seek God with as sincere heart.