Easter, 4th Sunday. The image of a the Good Shepherd is a beautiful one: Jesus holding a sheep over his shoulder or cradled tenderly in his arms. Jesus calls his sheep by name, walks ahead of them, and leads them to find abundant life. But where do we see the Good Shepherd at work?

God loves to work through other people! So we see the Good Shepherd in the arms and faces of others. A Father and Mother discover they are pregnant: God is the true giver of life, working through those parents to create His child. A mother cradles her baby and nurses it at her breast: God is feeding his sheep. A father cares for and protects the baby: The Shepherd is leading his sheep. A priest preaches well or cares for His people: the Good Shepherd is leading his sheep. The Good Shepherd works through us to care for His sheep.

Sometimes I am good and generous and kind. That's God's love coming through me. Other times I can be rude, preoccupied, thoughtless, even mean. Well that's me getting in the way of God. Every day we have to allow the love of God to shine through us more clearly. The love we have felt from family and friends is just a tiny glimpse of the great love God has for us. We have to draw from the Source of all Love so that we can reflect God more brilliantly every day.

(11 May 2014)

Want to go deeper?

Pray with Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Memorize it.