This Sunday may be called "Good Shepherd Sunday" because the Gospel selections for all three years of the cycle come from Jn 10, in which Jesus compared his own ministry to the work of a shepherd. For now, read the whole chapter to get a complete picture.

In response to the objection of the Pharisees to Jesus’ challenge to their self-importance in 9:40-41, Jesus alludes to the role of the shepherd and gives criteria for true authority: (1) his followers recognize him (10:1-10); (2) he gives his life for them and they are united to him (10:11-18 — next year’s reading); and (3) this recognition by faith is God’s gift (10:27-30 — following year’s reading).

In this passage, the true shepherd is contrasted to a thief. The oriental custom was for several flocks belonging to different shepherds to share the same grazing land, and to be put into a common enclosed area for the night, so they could all be watched by one shepherd while the others slept. In the morning, the sheep would recognize their own shepherd by voice, and each flock would gather naturally around him, to be led out to pasture. A thief, however, could only break in and steal — no sheep would recognize and follow him.

In changing the image to compare himself to the gate, Jesus describes the results of confidence in his authority. There is only one gate to the safe enclosed area where the sheep are protected. Therefore, it is easy to guard, and only legitimate shepherds can gain access. Jesus is the only one who can delegate others to care for his flock in his name. Thieves can get in only by violence — breaking down the walls. They may be recognized for what they are by their ambition and deceit.

Today’s reading continues the first missionary sermon of Peter to the crowds of Jews on Pentecost, which we began last Sunday. The invitation to put faith in Jesus as Messiah (v 36) leads to the question of what to do about it (v 37). Peter’s answer (v 38) reflects the process of initiation as developed in the early Church, and re-emphasized today in the restored rite of adult initiation. (1) Faith leads to a change of heart, which must be tested by a sincere reform of life. (2) The outward expression of faith, ratified by the acceptance of the Christian community and by the power of God, is baptism in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. (3) The gift of the Holy Spirit confirms the follower of Christ in the life of the "promise" (v 39) because he orients the believer to participation in the life and mission of the community of Christ’s body. (4) The center of this life is participation in the eucharist — thanksgiving and praise in the "breaking of the bread" (vv 42-46).

Recall that David was a shepherd boy before his call to be a warrior-king (1 Sam 16), and even in his military and political exploits he preserved a shepherd’s simplicity and perspective. Response: "The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want."

Many early Christians were from the poor and oppressed classes, and they were exhorted to take Christ’s submission to violence as their example. This was not to condone unjust institutions of slavery and oppression, nor was the intention to propose a non-violent plan to reform society. The counsel concerns instead the individual’s own way of living within a situation he or she cannot change. The challenge of the risen Christ to the Christian community is to transform the world, but this can be accomplished only if the individual accepts the challenge to live as Christ in his or her own circumstances.

1. How are you healed by Christ’s wounds?

2. Does the image of a shepherd still speak to our society today? What other images could be used?