You may have realized by now from the Gospel reading that today is “Good Shepherd Sunday.”  In the Gospel, Jesus calls himself, “The Good Shepherd.  I know them and they follow me.”  This brings to mind those familiar images; the stained-glass windows or the paintings of Jesus carrying a sheep across his shoulders.  Bringing the lost sheep back to the flock. This image, then, also brings at least to my mind the poem “Footprints”; I’m sure most of you have heard.  Where we are reminded that it’s during the troubled times of our life, that Jesus carries us.  When problems, or some personal disaster come our way in life, these images of Jesus, the “Good Shepherd” reassure us that we are not abandoned, that Jesus is always with us.  I’m sure we can all imagine times in our lives as that lamb being carried by Christ.  These images are meant to show the loving and caring relationship that Jesus wants with every one of us. 

          For me, there are other images that come to mind also.  I grew up on a farm when I was little, and even though my family didn’t raise sheep, we had other neighbors that did; and to be honest, I wasn’t very impressed with the animals.  Sheep are actually pretty dumb.  They can’t fend for themselves; they have no defenses of their own.  They have a strong flocking instinct and rarely act independently.  If one does get separated from the flock, it easily falls victim to predators.  Even as a flock they can do little for themselves without a shepherd to guide and protect them.  They’re truly some sad animals.  They can also be quite stubborn.  Does this sound like anybody you know?  Because this is what we’re compared to in the bible.  But, if we’re really honest with ourselves, it’s probably a pretty accurate comparison.  It’s easy to just follow the crowd and do the same as everyone else without thinking on our own.  Without a shepherd to guide us, we too would just wander aimlessly, following the flock, soon to get into some kind of trouble.  We need our shepherd to give us direction in life.  Jesus is that Good Shepherd, the one who leads his sheep.  Because we are like sheep, we do need to depend on our shepherd more than we think.  We need to realize that Jesus does speak to us, and we must learn to recognize his voice, and then follow him.  “Jesus knows all of his sheep by name.  And in speaking to them, the sheep listen and know his voice, and follow him.”

          By letting Jesus lead us, giving in to his leadership with trust that he will protect and guide us, by listening to his voice and being thankful for the care he gives us, as a true shepherd, we can free ourselves from many of the burdens of life simply by trusting Jesus.  We need to take time to look at the wonderful graces that are already part of our lives, the many gifts that God has given us.  Of course, there will always be sickness, death, discouragements in some form, but that’s when we need to let him carry us on his shoulders. By giving it all back to God and finding the ways he has been good to us, and by listening to his voice, we might actually find the happiness and peace that we look for but can’t find on our own.  The shepherd knows his sheep’s voice.  The good shepherd cares for each one of his sheep.  He knows us better than we know ourselves; and he lays down his life for his sheep, for us.

          In today’s Gospel, Jesus also adds, “I have other sheep who do not belong to this fold.  These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice and there will be one flock, one shepherd,” Jesus’ flock is universal. He wants to include people of every culture and race.  Christianity came from a Jewish background, but soon enveloped Samaritans, Greeks, Ethiopians, people of all races and people of every culture.  Each Sunday we profess our belief in the “catholic church.”  Catholic means universal.  Jesus came to save, and he died for “all,” not just a few chosen ones.  But we do have to listen to him and follow him.

          It’s obvious that in today’s Gospel, Jesus isn’t just speaking of sheep and sheep herding.  He is speaking about the intimate, personal bond that exists between him and his followers, but also about the bond that exists between each one of his followers. He is speaking about our motives when it comes to caring about others. He’s asking us to examine which motives come into play when life gets tough.  There are times when we can be called upon to sacrifice our comfort, our profits, our own welfare, and maybe even our own lives for the sake of others.  (Pause)

          All this follows into another reason that today is called “Good Shepherd” Sunday.  Today, worldwide, is a day of prayer for religious vocations.  Men and women alike from ordained ministry, to consecrated life, to even lay ministers serving in so many other capacities.  We want to recognize and continue to develop the many different vocations in the Church.  I’m sure we’re all aware of the shortage of priests, the shepherds among us who have wholeheartedly embraced a life of self-sacrifice, and self-giving, for the love and service to God and for the spiritual well-being of the Church and its followers.  Jesus said to the Apostles “Feed my sheep.” And he is still calling men to the priesthood as shepherds, men and women to consecrated life, all for the service of caring for God’s loved ones, and to carry the lost sheep on their shoulders.  We have to give thanks for the ones who listen to that call and are willing to lay down their life freely.  And it’s up to the rest of us to bring attention to that calling and give encouragement to those who might be called.