The Shepherd’s Pledge of Sincerity & Abundance
A Reflection for the 4th Sunday of Easter
Brent Smith, Director of Adult Faith Formation & Evangelization
At the halfway point of the Easter season, the Gospel reading presents Jesus as our shepherd. In recent weeks we have reviewed the gruesome reality of his passionate sufferings unto death, as well as his resurrection and elevated existence. Unjustly condemned, maliciously mocked, brutally scourged, nailed to a cross, and left to die – only then to fulfill the Biblical prophecies of the Christ. He accomplished incredible feats because he is the incarnate Son of God. Among those who struggle to entrust ourselves to such a mysterious guy – really, the face of the Triune God – what is the solution to our doubts?
Twice Jesus tells the Pharisees, alongside the disciples, you, and me, to make a daily act of faith. In his own words, “Amen, amen, I say to you…” Another translation reads, “I am telling you the truth” (John 10:1 & 10:7, NABRE vs. Today’s English version). Our shepherd pledges his teachings are sincere. Elsewhere He says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me” (John 14:1). Jesus gets we sometimes struggle to bridge the gap between God the Father and the Beloved Son. By committing oneself to a regular assent of faith – such as, Jesus you’re the shepherd of the life – a follower of Christ responds with her own pledge of sincerity.
As members of Jesus’s sheepfold – his faithful disciples – our obedience to him is properly marked by devotion. He pledges that this way of living is truly life-giving and enjoyable. In his own words, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b). While this shepherd is honest about the fruitfulness of being in relationship with him, the dangers are also made apparent. In the second reading, St. Peter instructs us on this tragic reality, “If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this a grace before God. For this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example” (1 Peter 2:20-21). Even with our doubts…
Please pray with me: Good shepherd, thank you for calling each one of us by name. We entrust ourselves to your pledge of sincerity & abundance. Amen.