In the midst of all the unsettling circumstances that disrupt our lives today, we desperately need reassurance. The lessons for this coming Sunday, traditionally known as “Good Shepherd Sunday,” offer tremendous comfort.
If we heard nothing else, Psalm 23 would do it. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” I believe nearly all of us have that one memorized — in the King James Version, of course. When I was a hospital chaplain, I learned that Psalm 23 is the “Protestant Last Rites,” and prayed it with many families as their loved ones made the transition into eternal life. What elegant language! What beautiful images! What blessed assurance!
The Gospel, from John 10, is the beginning of the “Good Shepherd” discourse, which follows the healing of the man blind from birth. Asserting his authority to the audience of disciples and Pharisees, Jesus uses the familiar image of the shepherd and the sheep. Sheep are basically clueless and helpless, at the mercy of animal and human predators. In this section, Jesus is talking about the function of the gate, which keeps out bandits and thieves but opens to admit the caring shepherd. The sheep respond to the voice of the shepherd, who knows each of them by name. They don’t respond to other, unfamiliar, voices. The shepherd protects them from those who would do them harm.
When his listeners don’t get it, he focuses the metaphor. He says forthrightly, “I AM the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will go out and find pasture. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
The next verse has the real clincher, “I AM the good shepherd.” We don’t get to hear that this year; it begins the Gospel for Easter 4 in Year B. But we already know it’s there, and in our minds we do hear it.
So what is this gate image? Jesus is saying that he is the key to that abundant life. He invites us to come through that gate, that door, and to bask in the warmth of God’s love. It’s very much the same invitation that he offers in chapter 14, where he tells the disciples “I AM the way, the truth, and the life.” He is offering them, and us, the opportunity to enter that gate, to follow that way, and to graze in green pastures, drink from still waters, feast without worry of enemies or death, be anointed, rejoice as our cup overflows, to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
In this uncertain, worrisome Easter season, may we accept the invitation of the risen Christ. Laying our worries upon him, may we enter that gate and trust the Good Shepherd to guide, protect, care for, and love us. Alleluia!
Here is a performance of one of the most beloved settings of Psalm 23, paraphrased to the tune “Brother James’ Air,” as sung by the Canterbury Cathedral boy choir:
Blessings and peace,
David+