Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (The Good Shepherd Sunday)

Three Outstanding Qualities Of The Good Shepherd

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (The Good Shepherd Sunday)

Church of St. Bridget of Minneapolis, MN

Sunday, May 11, 2025

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, let us reflect on the three qualities of a good shepherd, as guided by the words of our beloved Pope Francis. In discussing the relationship between a bishop or priest and the people, Pope Francis noted, “A good shepherd should be in front to lead, in the middle to encourage, and behind to protect and support the flock.”

Was Jesus this kind of shepherd? Did he lead out in front of the flock? Absolutely! In Matthew 18, we hear that Jesus’ disciples approached him and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” What did Jesus do and say? He invites a child, placed him in their midst and said, “Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” At the Last Supper, Luke tells us that after Jesus had taken his seat, he gave his valediction, that is, his farewell speech. After that, he instituted the great Sacrament of the Eucharist, and also foretold his betrayal. What follows? The disciples began to argue among themselves which of them should be regarded as the greatest (Luke 22:24). What is Jesus’ response? Jesus says to them, “the greatest among you must be your servant.” What is the Lord doing in these and many other instances? As the Good Shepherd, he is in the front leading his flock. As the personification of the truth, he is leading them to the truth. 

Secondly, Pope Francis said a good shepherd should be in the middle, that is, being among the flock. Is that true of Jesus? You betcha! In his public ministry, Jesus eats and drinks, especially with sinners, prostitutes, tax-collectors. I tell you, at that time, it was a scandalous behavior for a rabbi to be associating with public sinners. When Jesus relocated from his hometown to Capernaum, it was generally believed by biblical scholars that he moved into the house of Simon Peter. More to it, Jesus was frequently seen in the boat with his Apostles. At the wedding in Cana, Jesus was present with his disciples. He was at the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus multiple times. When Lazarus died, he visited again, comforted the sisters and resurrected their brother from the dead. Jesus was also at the house of Jairus where he brought back his 12 year old daughter who died. Jesus was among his sheep and was not only out in the front leading. 

Thirdly, Pope Francis said, a good shepherd should also lead the flock from the back. What is he doing at the back? He is attending to those who have fallen behind, who are wounded, afraid and excluded. Did Jesus fulfill this quality? Oh yes! Look at the Gospels and you will see how prominent this is in the ministry of the Lord. Jesus reaches out to the lonely woman at the well who was ostracized by her community. Jesus reaches out to the man born blind, who was considered by the society as cursed by God. To the chief tax collector, Zacchaeus, Jesus reaches out too. What about the woman caught in the act of adultery? Jesus also reaches out to her. In all the Gospels, Jesus is presented as someone deeply attentive to those who have fallen behind. So, in all these three senses, Jesus is indeed the True and Good Shepherd. 

Now, should Church leaders try to emulate the kind of shepherd that Jesus is and that Pope Francis described? Yes indeed! If a shepherd is to effectively lead the flock, he must know the way to the destination. Otherwise, he and the flock would wander aimlessly. With time, the flock will become exhausted, hungry, and thirsty. Therefore, a good shepherd must be at the forefront, guiding the way. He must also be in the middle of the flock in order to know the flock, to understand the flock and feel for the flock. So, while he leads the flock out in front, he also has to be among the sheep, he has to be in contact with them. He has to communicate to the people and let them know that he is there among them. He has to make himself available to the people. He has to be present to the people. His ministry is a ministry of presence. A large part of the ministry of the shepherd is showing up. Just as a good dad shows up at his kids’ events— their games and their tournaments, their concerts and so on, that’s a big part of my job as the pastor. If there is no conflict of events, I have to show up to events and be present.

Finally, a good shepherd should be at the back. What is he doing at the back? He is attending to those who are struggling, who feel alienated, who have fallen away. He is paying attention to those who are sick, lame and are being threatened by predators. If he doesn’t do that, he will soon have no flock at all. The late Cardinal Francis George of Chicago was quoted as saying, “It’s great that you teach the moral teaching of the Church with such clarity. I’m glad you do that. But if all you do is drop that teaching on people, and then walk away, you’re not accomplishing very much. You are not a pastor.” The pastor speaks the truth, but he is also very attentive to those who, for whatever reason, have a difficult time embodying those truths.

May God help me and all the shepherds of the Church have these same qualities.