Jesus offers two metaphors or images of himself. In the first part of
this parable, Jesus is the shepherd. Then, when the people seem not to understand, he uses the image of being the door/gate to the sheepfold. So let us start with the first metaphor, Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
There were two types of sheep pens - those in the village and those in the fields. In the villages, sheep were herded into a pen at night. There would be a gatekeeper who would care for the sheep overnight.
We know the saying, we come from God, and we go back to God. It has the feeling of leaving home and coming back home. God is offering us the best possible guide, Christ, the Word, the Son of God, the Good Shepherd, to accompany us on this
life-giving journey. The incarnate Word reveals the Father, so what we see in the Good Shepherd are characteristics of the Father as well. Therefore, it is unsurprising that God would offer us only the best love. What does this mean to me?
As I imagine the scene, I see the sheep in the fold being threatened by those thieves and robbers who wish to enter the sheepfold by climbing over the wall. These are those who are seeking to mislead and trap me. Now I see and hear the shepherd whose voice I know, entering the sheepfold by the gate. The gatekeeper also recognises this shepherd
and opens the gate. I see this gatekeeper as our loving God giving the nod to the good shepherd. Yes, take the sheep out to good pastures, stay with them, and in time bring them back to me, to the sheepfold. From God and back to God, always accompanied, loved and nurtured. While out in the pastures of the earth, the shepherd never leaves us, just as the shepherd never leaves the sheep.
In this time of resurrection, we experience Christ drawing us with him to our God, inviting us all to be one with God. Resurrection is the announcement that life cannot, in the end, be
destroyed by death. Each day as we live our earthly lives, we can live as resurrection people because Jesus has died and risen. We already live a resurrection life when we keep following Christ. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lays down his life in love to show us the way. He goes ahead of us and accompanies us in every moment. He shows us the way of non-violence, forgiveness, compassion, justice and love. Do I wish to follow this way?
Do I trust my shepherd?
Is it my desire to follow the Good Shepherd and imitate what I see, hear, and experience?
How do I see the presence of resurrection life in me today?
Reflection by Kath Knowles
