Sunday Gospel Reflection, May 7, 2017: Follow in his footsteps...

 Follow in his footsteps… 

Do you believe in Jesus’ power to transform you? 

   In John’s Gospel, the Pharisees have rejected Jesus; they do not believe he was sent by God nor do they consider him God’s messenger.  But Jesus calls them out on this:  whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate, but climbs over elsewhere, is a thief and a robber.  Their narrow vision, focused entirely on their own self-interest, will not allow the Pharisses to recognize that Jesus has been sent by God, not only as shepherd but also as gate, the only – and the only direct – access to the Father.  Jesus, as shepherd, knows them, loves them for who they are, for who they have been created to be, yet they do not listen to him.  Indeed, they run away because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.  Unlike the psalmist in Psalm 23, who knows that the Lord is his shepherd, the Pharisees do not believe in Jesus’ power to save them, to transform them, to give them life more abundantly.

   After Jesus’ death and rising, the Jews are still struggling to understand, still struggling to recognize the power Jesus has in their lives.  In Acts of the Apostles, Peter does not hesitate to proclaim Jesus’ identity:  Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.  As they come to a realization of who Jesus is and was, they ask, What are we to do?  Peter assures them that the promise of Jesus as shepherd and Messiah was made to you and to your children and to all those far off – they have but to follow, to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  Transformed internally, they will be able to follow in his footsteps, as we read in 1 Peter, imitating Jesus’ example through patient suffering – this is their call. For you had gone astray like sheep, Peter writes, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. So allow yourself to be transformed, and live as he lived, confident in his power to save.

   Good Shepherd Sunday teaches us that conversion is not a one-time experience; we must be ever vigilant, following Jesus with care and attention, walking in the dark valley with him, always coming back to the shepherd who cares for us, trusting that God will remain at our side, as we allow ourselves to be transformed by his overflowing love.

This post is based on Fr. Pat's Scripture class.

Image source:  Moodle