Homily for the week of May 15, 2011

The Fourth Sunday in Easter, 2011

Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm 23: 13a, 3b4, 5, 6 1 Peter 2:20b-25 John 10:1-10

Some years ago there was a television quiz show called “Let’s Make a Deal,” in which contestants were given an opportunity to exchange a small prize for a chance at a grand prize. Suspense built as they were asked to choose: door number one, door number two or door number three. Two doors concealed “zonk,” or gag prizes. Behind the third door was something very desirable, like a trip, a car or large amounts of cash. Every once in a while someone would get lucky and choose correctly.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of himself as the door that leads to the most desirable of gifts. Unlike the quiz show designers, who for their own gain might deliberately try to confuse the location of the grand prize, Jesus shows himself openly to be the gateway and declares his desire for all to choose this door.

At the beginning of today’s Gospel selection, Jesus speaks about himself as the shepherd of the sheep who enters the sheepfold properly, through the gate. He contrasts himself to the thief or the robber who scrambles into the sheepfold some other way and who will have no success in getting the sheep to follow him out. He is a stranger, and the sheep will run away from him; they do not recognize his voice. Jesus elaborates further the image of himself as the Good Shepherd. But he also calls himself the gate for the sheep.

The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is one that is used frequently, especially when associated with funerals. But most likely the only shepherd that any of you have seen are persons dressed up as shepherds in Christmas plays. One of the oldest paintings of Jesus represents Jesus as carrying an injured, straying sheep gently on his shoulders back to the sheepfold. This is an image of Jesus which has always appealed to Christians. There is something innocent about a sheep, and at the same time a lot of foolishness! But with Christ as our shepherd and the "good shepherd" who is sincerely interested in the true welfare of each of us we have reason to rejoice.

Shepherds carried two items with them. One of these was a rod and the other a staff. The Good Shepherd Psalm which we just prayed refers to the staff of the shepherd. The rod was usually quite long and had a hook at one end so that the shepherd could pull the sheep pack into the flock. The staff usually hung from the shepherds belt. It was a short wooden club with a lump of wood at the end. The shepherd used this to defend himself and the sheep against thieves. At times the shepherd might have the help of a sheep dog, but that was not very common when Jesus was living.

Most towns and villages in Palestine had a common place where shepherds would bring their sheep for the night. This was call the sheepfold. These were open air enclosures walled in by stones on top of which was a barrier of briars or thorn bushes. The gate was small. Only one sheep could go though the gate at a time. Once the flock was inside there was no heavy door or gate. A paid gate keeper or shepherds would take turns at night so that no one would come to steal the sheep, or no animals would come to kill the sheep. They would stand at the gate, or at times even lie down across the opening.

An important aspect of this image is that the gate swings in two directions. Not only do Jesus’ followers come into the sheepfold through him, but they are also led out by him. All who are led in by him find in the embrace of the believing community a place of rest, a space where wounds can be healed and where all can be nourished by the word and at the table. But whoever enters is also led out to find a place to do good deeds. Jesus is the gate that opens in and out.

Later in the Gospel, the image of the open gate takes another form. Unlike the sheep who always have a shepherd, if we leave the gate without Jesus we risk being hurt by those who try to enter another way.

There are many among us today who foolishly think they need no shepherd. They think they know all the facts of life. They are in total ignorance of the most basic fact of all- what is our purpose in life? They try to ease their consciences by immersing themselves deeper and deeper in the affairs and the passing pleasures of this temporary life.

Following in the footprints of Jesus is not always hard. At times following Him is very easy, especially when all is going well. When things do turn difficult, perhaps we really should learn to pray to the Good Shepherd. He will carry us if necessary.

If Jesus were here today in 2011, he would not use the image of the shepherd and the sheep. What image would Jesus use today to illustrate his love and caring? Might he speak of a mother and father, of a teacher, a fireman or rescue squad volunteer, a nurse or doctor, a young person helping out at home, or with the shut ins? Last week Bishop LaValley was here to bring the Sacrament of Confirmation to 23 of our young persons. To prepare themselves for Confirmation each of them did at least 25 hours of helping others. In one way or another they wrote about their experience saying that they never really knew that helping someone could give gifts in return. Through this experience they felt better about themselves and formed a closer relationship with God. Fortunately, we have many today who are willing to do so. In fact all of us, at one time or another have responsibility for others.