‘I am the gate for the sheep’

By Father Manuel Solorzano
Hispanic Apostolate

Dear brothers and sisters: The Fourth Sunday of Easter always refers us to the figure of the Good Shepherd. The witnesses of the resurrection – Mary Magdalen, Thomas, those on the road to Emmaus – disappear from the scene, and the profound message they announced – the resurrected life – appears.

Today’s Gospel proclaims, “I have come so that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the life”; “I am the true vine”; “I am the light of the world”; “I am the bread of life.” In the same way, this Sunday, it is revealed to us, “I am the Good Shepherd.”

This biblical country image was well-suited to the people of Israel since they had a nomadic herding culture. It was their first graphic representation of Jesus.

In this Gospel, Jesus identifies himself as the gate of the sheepfold, as the shepherd who enters through the gate, not as the bandit or as a mercenary, but as the Good Shepherd. How well Jesus describes his loving relationship with his sheep: The Good Shepherd knows them all, calls them by their name, leads them out to pastures, walks while whistling in front of them and gives his life for them. In return, his sheep know him, listen to his voice and follow him.

In the second reading, Peter presents Jesus to us as the suffering, innocent, patient, redeeming, shepherd-servant: “His wounds have healed you,” he reminds us.

Jesus draws a revealing parallel – just as the father loves him, he loves his sheep. Even more, the sheep belong to the father, and the son gives his life for them. That is why the father loves him.

Everything is a sublime circle. It is this profound love for his sheep that awakens our trust in Jesus. Therefore, it is not difficult for us to listen to his voice, to know him more each day and to follow him until death.

Jesus is not only life and gives us his life, but he is also the way and the gate to that life. Curiously, we call him shepherd and the “lamb that takes away sin.” He is the shepherd who takes in his arms the wounded sheep, the sad, the helpless, the sinner. He says to us, as he says to his disciples, “Do not be afraid, little flock,” and we believe it.

Now, it is urgent that we realize that we all must be good shepherds – not only the bosses, the dignitaries or “those above.” As followers and imitators of Jesus, we bring his way of shepherding into our lives – caring, protecting, healing wounds, holding up, giving life and living for others. Like Peter, Jesus asks us, “Do you love me? Well, feed my sheep.” Only from love does it make sense.

The credibility and moral authority of the men and women of the church are directly related to the ability to give life. Life is to be merciful, to wash feet, to become Samaritans, to console and to have a passion for justice. The opposite is typical of thieves and bandits: rigid attitudes, legalism that crushes, coldness before the suffering of the other. It is what Jesus denounced in the Pharisees.

The magic word that the Gospel repeats is “serve”; serve everyone, use no one. Today is a propitious moment to thank God for the gift of those who have heard the voice of Jesus and have followed him.

We are also invited to pray with joy and hope, so that the owner can send workers to his harvest. And, above all, we are asked to live our particular vocation with enthusiasm. God calls because he loves. The happiness of the human being – the “abundant life” that is promised to him – welcomes the love that comes from experiencing himself, called by God.