May 3, 2009 Cycle B
Acts 4:8-12 1 John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18
There was a story that appeared in the news in recent months about a young boy who had a learning disability. He was at his Daycare Center and it appeared that he became frightened and so he ran out on to the roof overhang of the building.
Immediately the Center called for the firemen to rescue the little boy. One of the firemen who assisted immediately saw that the young boy was not responsive to their pleas and might jump if he were intimidated by them coming after him. So he quickly went back to the firehouse and in his locker found the Spiderman suit that he used for children’s events. He immediately went back with it on, held out a glass of orange juice, and when the child saw him in his Spiderman outfit he immediately came to him. The young boy was returned safely to his parents. And the fireman was deemed a hero.
We come today in this season after Easter to celebrate the gift of God’s life given to us in the Eucharist. This is a very special day for these children and their families. In the course of their studies to prepare for this day they have reflected on God’s gift of Himself and the story of the Last Supper where Jesus is the Divine Host who invites everyone to the Table.
The stories of this Easter season present many images of Jesus. Among them we read of the gardener who spoke softly to the grieving Mary Magdalene in the garden near the tomb. We hear of the stranger who walked suddenly into the lives of the despairing disciples on the road to Emmaus. Then there is the “Appearance” who startled the fearful apostles who were hiding behind closed doors in the upper room. Then we hear of the cook who appeared on the shore of the lake and prepared fish for the awestruck disciples. And today we hear of the Shepherd who pursued with determined love the lost lamb.
Each of these titles are ways that the Gospel writers are trying to teach us one truth. That Jesus in many ways is alive here and now. He is active in the everydayness of our lives. Jesus still walks with us, not as a figure from the past, but in the present. Jesus is with us at our side. He is Risen. He is alive. He is here. Some would think that Jesus comes to us in many disguises. But through it all we realize that no matter what is happening in our lives, the Risen Christ comes to us and calls out our name with concern, love and promise, as friend to friend.
The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd can probably be better explained to our children if you think about your pet dog. You have come to love that animal and cherish its greeting you when you come home from school, or when you’ve been away for a while. Think of the image that the Gospel presents to us today about the sheep and the shepherd. In the days of Jesus, the shepherds brought their flocks of sheep at night to a square marked off on a hillside by a stone wall. The sheep would then enter and leave the stone enclosure through a gate in the wall. One shepherd would take turns protecting the sheep and seeing that they did not stray. But in the morning the group of shepherds came together and they would call each of those out by a special name that he had for that sheep. The sheep knew its name and they recognized the voice of the shepherd. They would not follow the other shepherds because they were strangers.
Consider that same image, if I can push it to help you understand, a group of dogs gathered together in the park playing. When it’s time to bring your own dog back home, you simply have to call their name and they come running to you. That might help you understand your own relationship with Jesus when He says, “I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own, and Mine know Me.” (John 10:14)
It is not just the sheep that Jesus knows, or like us the dog that we call, but rather Jesus knows each one of us individually and personally. He does call us by name and leads us forward to a freedom of life with Him.
Today as the children receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time, they will come to a deeper and more abiding awareness of God’s love for them. They, by their presence, have been called out to another step on their initiation as Catholic Christians into our community. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He calls us to celebrate at His Table today for He is truly our Host who asks us to share fully in His life. We do that because like the Good Shepherd, who is willing to lay down His life for the sheep, Christ has called us and made the promise that He would be with us all of our lives.
Amen! Amen. Msgr. Tom Adrians, Pastor Christ the King