For Sunday
Easter 4B
Collect
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Reading
Reflection
As Jesus compares himself to the good shepherd, he creates a contrast between himself and 1) other shepherds and 2) the ones who don’t actually want him to be good. In other words, Jesus speaks to both who the good shepherd is and what other people think of him.
I’m reminded of what happens in sports—when we evaluate a team or a player. We might focus on what they can offer the team or we might despise them for beating our favorite team. Around here, just say the name Tom Brady and see what happens—objective is not a word for the response you’ll get.
I think most of us want this image of the good shepherd to be a positive descriptor. Tradition has certainly made it so. The back window in the church reflects this very image: the kind Jesus holding a small lamb. But the image is, in fact, also a contrast with other shepherds. Those who are also called to lead and protect.
In the previous chapter, some of the Pharisees and church leaders harass a young man that Jesus healed; they also harass his parents and ostracize hime. And in the next chapter, they will seek to kill Lazarus after Jesus raises him from the dead.
Unlike these others, who deceive, cruelly condemn, oppress, and marginalize, Jesus heals and frees. And the best part is that we hear his voice, no matter what, or where we are.
The image of the good shepherd comforts and invites. But it also contrasts. Not just with the other shepherds, but with our own expectations. For what is good. And who we ought to root for. And why. Thankfully, Jesus knows the team we’re supposed to root for. We can still be true fans of the Kin-dom if we’ve been pulled in other directions. We just need to listen.