COMMENT ON THE LITURGY OF THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
Collect
Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings
1 Pt 2:19-25; Gv 10:11-16
Comment
The adjective "good", kalòs, does not indicate only a person able to do something, but a noble person. Unlike the "mercenaries" who flee from danger, Jesus is the shepherd who gives his life for his sheep: "to laid down his life" is a typically Johannine expression (Jn 15:13; 1 Jn 3:16).
In the Old Testament, the shepherd is the image of the ideal leader and the just king. Knowing sheep here means taking care of them, loving them. Jesus as a legitimate shepherd enters the fold through the door. He leads the sheep out so they can feed. Faith in Christ is not "a cage"; he guides his sheep through green pastures and quiet waters (Ps 23:2) so that they can feed on freedom, guarded against the danger of predators. Led out of the enclosure of a legalistic religiosity, we are introduced by Christ into the freedom of the children of God, guided by his voice, by his Word.
The mercenary, on the other hand, is interested only in his salary, he does not work for the sake of the flock, and when danger comes he runs away. These words should make each of us reflect on how we put into practice the specific ministry that the Holy Spirit, distributing his charisms, has entrusted to us in the Church. The warning is addressed above all to those who hold a pastoral office, who must be moved by the care of the faithful and not by the search for earthly benefits.
The "other sheep" (v. Jn 10:16) mentioned are the pagans, but also "the scattered children of God" (Jn 11:52), the "lost sheep of Israel (Mt 10:6; 15:24). These will listen to his voice, his gospel which will reach the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), because whoever is of the truth listens to his voice (Jn 18:37). Jesus will reunite in one body the Jews and the pagans, "persons from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Ap 5:9), and these will form his Church.
The shepherd ready to die to save his sheep (v. Jn 10:15) is a truly paradoxical image, but it effectively expresses Christ's sacrifice for us, the infinite distance between his divine nature and our human nature, which also he comes to seek, while we are wandering and wounded (1 Pt 2:25). With his passion and resurrection, Christ becomes the "door of life" through which we can pass in order to be renewed as adopted children of God.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
