Reflection on John 10:11-18

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Monday, May 4, 2020

Fellow pilgrims of heaven, in this Gospel Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd: “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me.” The intimacy between Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and his faithful sheep is the reason why there is mutual knowledge. It is most convenient that the lover and the beloved should know each other. They are not strangers but friends: “I no longer call you slaves because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told everything I have heard from my Father” (John 15:15). The good shepherd recognizes which sheep belong to his flock, and the sheep themselves will recognize, out of the many voices of distraction, the voice of their good shepherd. When the good shepherd speaks and calls, his flock of sheep will recognize his voice. 

But what is that leads, moves and motivates people to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior? When people read the Bible or approach the Sacrament, what is it that appeals to them? Some of us got attracted to Jesus due to our family background. I am probably a Catholic Christian because I was born into a practicing Catholic family. Some others became Christians because someone preached to them or showed them good example. But the chief and deeper reason why people are attracted to the Lord is that when he speaks, he calls and beckons. His voice is the voice of love and friendship. It’s the voice of a lover inviting his beloved into a love relationship. He does not scare or frighten, rather, he appeals. 

As the lost sheep, it feels really good and really assuring to hear the voice of one who knows us through and through and who comes to our rescue. This good shepherd lays down his own life for us, so that we may find our way back to God, back to safety, redemption and life. 

Thank you, Jesus!