In the early catacombs of Rome, we find graphic images of the Good Shepherd. Often they show the figure of a young Christ who carries a lamb across his shoulders. The frescos show the intimacy between the shepherd and his sheep; between Christ and His beloved. Other similar sculptres are found on early Christian tombs. In contrast to ancient Roman pagan tombs, no longer is the image that of a Roman warrior but rather that of Christ who carries His sheep warmly and lovingly. The words of the 23rd Psalm are well known to many people, whether they practice their religion in church or not. The image of the love of Jesus the Good Shepherd for His flock is enduring and comforting.
Jesus the Good Shepherd presents us with an image of compassion, love and care; a person in whom we can trust and have confidence. The Good Shepherd only seeks the good for his sheep, never ill. Unlike the sheep who react by instinct and learnt habit, as human persons we can choose to follow the Shepherd or not. We have the choice to listen to His voice as found in the living words of the scriptures and the Church’s tradition or to go our own way. When we place our trust in His love and accept the Gospel, He promises both the gift of eternal life and protection from the forces of evil that are always deffeated by the love of God. St. Paul knows that nothing, whether death or life, persecution or opposition, power or creature, can come between himself and the love of God for him in Jesus Christ. A wonderful image of heaven is presented in the book of Revelation. In the new Jerusalem, the heavenly city, the Lamb of God, the great communion of saints who have been proved worthy by following his way. The Lamb leads them to springs of living water and eternal life.
What about us? Firstly, we are invited to listen to the voice of the shepherd, Jesus Christ. We are called to cultivate a living relationship in prayer and to listen to His word. Our age makes it difficult to listen. We are easily distracted and eager to get on with the next task. Maybe we are bombarded by noise. Listening is difficult and yet the wisdom of the monastic tradition is that we need time to listen and pray. Secondly, we are invited to place our trust and have confidence in the Father’s love. Nothing is greater than His love for us. We may feel threatened, weak, vulnerable or fearful of opposition to the Gospel and the values that follow from that. We are invited to renew our trust. The image of Jesus carrying us on His shoulders is one that will comfort and strengthen. We journey towards heaven as pilgrims with no abiding city on earth, confident that our homeland is in heaven. The scene of the new Jerusalem reminds us that we are nourished by Jesus the living water. He nourishes and feeds us by His word and be receiving Holy Communion. Let us rejoice and sing, “Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal His merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.â€