Fr. Frank Majka, SJ – The Bridge

The Good Shepherd and Us

The image of the Good Shepherd effectively tells us some very important truths about how Jesus understands himself. It tells us that he will go out of his way to find us when we have strayed and will bring us back to the fold from which we have wandered off. It tells us that, unlike the hired hand, Jesus will stand his ground and protect his flock, even to giving his life for them.

But there is a danger if we take the image to mean that we, his followers, are just sheep. Sheep, after all, are pretty much interested only in themselves and munching grass. We’re human beings with souls and minds, and we have been called to be his followers.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we are meant to be courageous, loving, creative, outgoing, proclaiming the gospel by what we say and how we live. We aren’t a herd or meant to think with a herd mentality. Instead, we’re intended to be a community of unique individuals living in love and mutual help, thereby setting an example of the Kingdom of God which Jesus came to establish.

So, though there’s consolation in knowing that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, there’s also a challenge in realizing that he doesn’t want us to be just sheep.