279:
In the text above from St. John, Jesus is speaking of himself as the Good
Shepherd. He has continued to elaborate on this image together with that
of the door for the sheepfold since the beginning of chapter 10. It is
Jesus who leads other sheep into the fold. This statement is seen
fulfilled in what Luke writes about Peter and his vision in which nothing
and no one that the Lord has brought into existence is "unclean."
Therefore, Peter is helped by this vision to bring the news of the Paschal
Mystery of Jesus to others who are not Israelites. The nations are now able
to be preached to with as much boldness as Peter and Paul address the
Jewish listeners. We see that others join them in bringing the Good News
(Gospel) to Gentiles. They are disciples, holy men and holy women, deacons,
and apostles who do this in the idyllic history of the nascent Church
presented by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. The Gospel selection
strengthens the image of the Good Shepherd by having Jesus state his
mission as the one sent from God, that is, as "The Apostle." He will reach
out to all men and women who are open to the Spirit and to his message.
The final words of today's passage are so clear; they need no
interpretation or explanation: "There shall be one flock then, one
shepherd. The Father loves me for this: that I lay down my life to take it
up again. No one takes it from me; I lay it down freely. I have power to
lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. This command (the
mission) I received from my Father." We too are called to be images and
likenesses to the Son of God, Jesus. And our mission is to bring the Good
News of God's all embracing love to every one. No one is to be excluded
from our outreach. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life
for one's friends. And for that matter, for anyone who comes into our
realm of responsibility, ministry, and mission. In a certain sense "we are
all missionaries" sent by the Father to one another. Amen.
posted by Fr. Bert SM at 11:10 AM
<< Home