Year A – Fourth Sunday of Easter

Every year, the 4th Sunday of Easter is celebrated as the Good Shepherd Sunday and Vocations Sunday. Each year, for the gospel reading, we hear one part of John 10. This year, being Year A, we listen to the first part of that chapter. We reflect on the ‘pastoral’ love (Shepherd’s love) of God made visible in Jesus, as we also pray for vocations to priesthood; priests are the ‘pastors’ of the church.

In the gospel text of today, Jesus makes two more of his “I am” statements: “I am the Gate” (Jn 10:9), and “I am the good shepherd” (Jn 10:11). Let us reflect on these two themes.

I am the Gate: This seems a strange analogy. Let us look at it in some detail to get a deeper meaning of what perhaps Jesus means. It is customary among pastors at the end of the day to gather their sheep in the pen – as we see among several pastoralist communities even today. The pen itself is often an open-air circular area enclosed by thorny branches. Usually it is a very dirty and smelly place. It would have just one narrow entrance, which would be barricaded by wooden logs. When the shepherds bring the sheep to the pen at the end of the day, they would let the sheep in and they would then return the logs at the ‘gate’; and one or two of them would sleep just outside the pen at the gate blocking the way. If wild animals like the hyenas or even thieves would enter the pen, they would have to trample the shepherds at the gate to get in. This is a standard way of guarding the sheep at night.

Jesus borrows this image from the pastoralist setting, and takes it a step further. He says, “I am the Gate”. He does not say, I am a shepherd who sleeps at the gate to guard the sheep – that would be just normal; but he says, “I am the gate.” This is extra-ordinary. He is not just the guardian of his flock. He is the Way to the community. And he offers his own life as a ransom for the community.

I am the Good-Shepherd: The second assertion that he makes is that he is the Good Shepherd. What kind of a shepherd is he; and what makes him good? A shepherd can either go in front and attract the sheep and lead them on; or he can go at the back of the herd and shove them by beating them and pushing them. He can either draw the sheep or drive them.

John 10:4 says, “When he has brought out all those that are his, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice.” Jesus the Good Shepherd draws me to Himself by His love. I can decide not to be drawn to Him, not to follow Him. He would wish that I follow Him, but if I decide otherwise, he respects that. It is nice to be drawn towards Him, because this is what my soul is longing for. If I follow Him it is good for me, because this is what will ultimately make me happy, where I will find fullness of life.