Date: Sunday, April 17, 2016
Last Sunday in the Gospel according to John (chapter 21) Jesus restores the office of Good Shepherd to Simon Peter. What is the job description or particular responsibilities of the office? Our readings give us insight. In Acts of the Apostles we hear Peter and John and today Paul and Barnabas witness to the resurrection and announce the Gospel often in the face of rejection and hostility. In the Book of Revelation John the Seer has a vision of the Lamb of God on a heavenly throne shepherding a multitude going through a great time of distress by sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, providing life giving springs of water and wiping every tear away. In the Gospel according to John (chapter 10) Jesus himself, as Good Shepherd, tells us: “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” We understand the analogy. Jesus draws close to us in our human condition as a Good Shepherd. He offers a word of hope, cares for us in our struggle and listens to us. Pope Francis exhibits qualities of a Good Shepherd. In his recent Exhortation on: “The Joy of Love” he encourages the Church not only to teach but also to listen to people and learn from them. Yesterday Pope Francis visited a refugee camp on the Island of Lebos with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew. Pope Francis urges the world to come to the aid of refugees with respect for human dignity. There are risks and sacrifices. Jesus entrusts the office of Good Shepherd not only to St. Peter, to the Patriarch and Pope Francis but to all of us who are entrusted with care of God’s children. Up close they are not strangers but neighbors -- our sisters and brothers in Christ.