I Am The Good Shepherd

Read Psalm 23 and John 10:1-11 Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A) Like most people today, chances are you do not know any shepherds. For the first Christians, who were familiar with shepherds, the Good Shepherd was a favorite image to associate with Christ. The shepherd has a rod to fend off wild animals that might harm the flock. Jesus saved us from evil. Jesus restores our souls. Shepherds feed their flocks. Jesus feeds us with the excellent bread of the Eucharist and brings us to living waters: baptism and the Holy Spirit. The image of shepherds is that they are kind, loving, patient, strong, and self-sacrificing. They are a good image for Jesus. And sheep, who can be rather stupid and foolish creatures, are a good symbol for us! The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want!