Developing a special bond with the Shepherd

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI

It is always heartening to read comments from persons who access CCSJ’s resources on our website. I recall receiving a request from a religious congregation in the USA who were celebrating the 100^th anniversary since the congregation was founded. They were producing a book to mark the occasion and asked if they could include four of our articles in it.

Last Friday, I received a package from Barbara Born PhD, from Seal Beach, California, USA. It contained a brief note and three booklets—printed on eco-friendly paper and ink: 1. Hey! You’re one of the 99 sheep. 2. Mary in the Rosary 3. Walk the Stations of the Cross Today: Let the Passion form your passion for faith.

In her note she said: “Hi Leela, Enjoy reading your social justice reflections that I found on your website — so insightful and relevant issues. In appreciation, sending you reflection books – a hobby I have of writing these booklets. Blessings in your ministry, Barbara”.
You can check out her blog via: peaceonjustice.wordpress.com. I love the motto on her calling card: ‘Live with the faith of Micah 6:8 and the compassion of Matthew 25:31–46’.

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These two gospel readings call to mind today’s gospel reading: The Good Shepherd—John 10:1–18. If we are to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8); if we are to meet the criteria by which we will be judged on the last day (Mt 25:31–46), then our lives must be connected to the Shepherd/Our Lord on a daily basis.

Pope Francis reminds us that: “There is a dimension of the Christian experience, that perhaps we leave somewhat in the shadows: the spiritual and affective dimension. Feeling connected to the Lord by a special bond, as sheep to their shepherd. At times we rationalize faith too much and we run the risk of losing the perception of the timbre of that voice, of the voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd, which motivates and fascinates.
“This is what happened to the two disciples of Emmaus, whose hearts burned as the Risen One spoke along the way. It is the wondrous experience of feeling loved by Jesus. Ask yourselves the question: ‘Do I feel loved by Jesus? Do I feel loved by Jesus?’.
“To him, we are never strangers, but friends and brothers. Yet it is not always easy to discern the Good Shepherd’s voice. Be careful. There is always the risk of being distracted by the din of so many other voices. Today we are invited not to let ourselves be distracted by the false wisdom of this world, but to follow Jesus, the Risen One, as the one sure guide who gives meaning to our life.”

Note that: “bad house”/thieves/brigands will constantly be calling us. Only if we have a proper relationship/personal encounter with the shepherd/the gatekeeper/Our Lord, will we hear and know His voice and will follow Him.
How many of you pray Psalm 23 regularly? By dying for us on the Cross, Jesus opened the gates of heaven for us. It is important for us to note also that the Gospel reading makes it clear that that shepherd/Our Lord came not only for those of us who are baptised, but for all of humanity: “…and I lay down my life for my sheep. And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd.”

The challenge for us is to work for Christian unity and to play our part in the evangelisation process. We all have a role to play in transforming our society so that it reflects gospel values.
We proclaim the Good News by the way in which we live our lives. One of the ways in which we can encourage others to hear the voice of the Shepherd, is to be able to defend our faith.
Read about the lives of the saints, e.g., St Stephen and St John the Martyr. We must equip ourselves for the journey by knowing what it means to be Catholic. Remember the words of St John Paul II in Redemptoris Missio, on the permanent validity of the Church’s missionary mandate: “…it is clear that from the very origins of Christianity, the laity–as individuals, families, and entire communities–shared in spreading the faith” (#71).