A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy
BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (# 23)
Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C – May 2, 2004
“The Shepherd Gives Life”
BIBLE READINGS
Acts 13:14, 43-52 // Rev 7:9, 14b-17 // Jn 10:27-30
I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS
The following true story, published in Poverello News (March 2004), tells us how a desperate and hopeless young man, Rick McNiel, found “life” through the pastoral ministry of the staff of Poverello House, who believe in the dignity of every human being and provide care for the homeless, the poor and the disadvantaged. Two years ago, Rick found himself living on the streets, in tremendous spiritual and emotional pain. His marriage had fallen apart, and he had been terminated from two drug rehab programs. He came to Poverello House in order to survive. Rick, however, made the mistake of breaking the community’s zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. Getting kicked out of a homeless mission was perhaps his lowest point, but sometimes good can emerge from brokenness and humiliation. The guard who found him drinking a bottle of vodka suggested that he come back the next day and try to get in the Resident Program. Rick had hit his bottom and was willing to listen. The miracle began at that moment. He did what was suggested. According to Rick: “Something started happening … I faced things that I didn’t think were possible to deal with. Poverello really came through for me. The staff got to know me well enough that they saw when I needed a push, or when I needed to be confronted … There’s a lot of acceptance, but also accountability; if you mess up, you pay the price.” Rick is now a Poverello staff driver for donation pick-ups. He is in his own apartment, paying bills, and learning to be a responsible citizen all over again. Rick has come a long way since getting kicked out for that pint of vodka two years ago. His inspiring story gives us a glimpse of what is presented in today’s Gospel (Jn 10:27-30), on the interpersonal relationship that exists between the life-giving Shepherd and the sheep that are called to follow the Shepherd.
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. The Gospel reading proclaimed in this Sunday’s liturgical assembly is brief, but very rich in content. According to the authors of the Days of the Lord, vol. 3: “The finale of the discourse on the Good Shepherd returns succinctly to the bond that unites the sheep and their intimate union with the one who leads them. But it is not a mere repetition of what we already know. As a matter of fact, with the last sentence we reach a high point in Jesus’ revelation about himself and his relation to the Father.” Indeed, today’s Gospel proclamation contains an astounding christological revelation: “The Father and I are one” (Jn 10:30), which is the basis for the life-giving pastoral ministry of Jesus. The profound mystery of unity between the Father and his Son Jesus, the victorious paschal Lamb, is the source of the latter’s incomparable power and unimpeachable authority as the Good Shepherd.
In today’s Gospel proclamation, we come in vital contact with Jesus Shepherd, who answers our most profound human longings and intense spiritual needs. Eternal life is the Good Shepherd’s most beautiful gift to us, the flock he shepherds. We are heartened by his declaration: “I give them eternal life” (Jn 10:28). Reflecting on this passage, the early Church Father, St. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215) comments: “In our sickness we need a savior, in our wanderings a guide, in our blindness someone to show us the light, in our thirst the fountain of living water which quenches forever the thirst of those who drink from it. We dead people need life, we sheep need a shepherd, we children need a teacher, the whole world needs Jesus! … (He) promised to give his life as a ransom for many, a thing which, as he said, only the Good Shepherd will do. How bountiful the giver who for our sake gives his most precious possession, his own life! He is a real benefactor and friend, who desired to be our brother when he might have been our Lord, and who in his goodness even went so far as to die for us!”
The Shepherd’s gift of eternal life demands a positive response from the recipients. Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me” (Jn 10:27). The interpersonal “knowledge” that exists between them necessitates receptivity in listening and obedience in following after Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The authors of the Days of the Lord, vol. 3, explain: “To hear is to recognize the authority and importance of the speaker’s words; it is to enter into communion with him, to put oneself under his guidance, to follow him, to attach oneself to him, to become his disciple. When the speaker is Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, all this has a specially strong, indeed unique, significance. For his part, Jesus alone can say that he knows his disciples and gives life, as Peter exclaimed to him: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the holy One of God” (Jn 6:68-69).
Those who hear his voice and follow him obediently and lovingly are truly known by Jesus, the Good Shepherd. St. Cyril of Alexandria, an early Church Father, comments: “People who hear God are known by him. No one is entirely unknown by God, but to be known in this way is to become his kin. Thus, when Christ says, I know mine, he means, I will receive them, and give them permanent mystical kinship with myself. ”
To the obedient and loving flock of disciples, whom he knows intimately and upon whom he would bestow the Easter gift of eternal life, Jesus gives the solemn assurance of divine protection. He says: “They shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand” (Jn 10:28b-29). The perfect assurance given to the disciples comes not only from his solicitude and devotion as the Good Shepherd. Rather, the Son of God and Shepherd of the sheep can assure them of complete protection because the Father and he are one (cf. Jn 10:30). Jesus enjoys the same power as God, in accordance with the christological revelation: “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (Jn 14:11). Since the Father and the Son are one, no one can frustrate the divine saving plan, that is, the gift of eternal life for those who believe.
Today’s Gospel image of the Good Shepherd who defends and gives solemn assurance to his sheep has a profound implication for the Christian believer that he continues to shepherd today. According to Adrian Nocent: “The baptized Christian feels a new strength flow into him from these words of Christ; he is also compelled to reflect on the responsibility that such a gift demands of him. The protection to which Christ refers is, after all, not a purely mechanical thing, an activity in which our receptivity plays no part. No, acceptance is a positive act, for it means heeding and following; it means being disposed for a difficult life of conflict, but one in which we are sure that victory is possible.”
II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
A. Do we hear the voice of the Shepherd? Do we open our hearts to his call? Do we follow as true disciples?
B. Do we incarnate in our life the life-giving ministry of Jesus, the Good Shepherd?
C. Do we truly recognize and avow in the witnessing of our life the solemn revelation of Jesus, the Good Shepherd: “The Father and I are one” (Jn 10:30).
III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(From the prayers composed by Blessed James Alberione)
Leader: Jesus Good Shepherd, who brought from heaven the fire of your love, give us your heart. Inflame us with the desire for the glory of God and with a great love for our brothers and sisters. Make us sharers in your apostolate. Live in us, that we may radiate you in word, suffering, in pastoral action, in the example of a good life.
Assembly: We offer you ourselves as docile and faithful sheep, to become worthy of cooperating in your pastoral mission in the Church. Dispose all minds and hearts to receive your grace. Come, divine Shepherd, guide us; may there soon be one flock and one shepherd.
IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD
The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.
“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life.” (Jn 10:27-28)
V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION
A. ACTION PLAN: The eternal life promised by the Good Shepherd continues to flow to the community of the believers through the Eucharist and the other sacraments. Today, offer special thanksgiving for the gift of the Eucharist and the other life-giving sacraments that are part of the Risen Lord’s Easter gift to the Church.
B. ACTION PLAN: Participate in the pastoral ministry of the Poverello House on behalf of the poor, needy and the homeless by taking into consideration their WISH LIST: toothbrushes, deodorant, paper napkins, 8 oz. disposable cups, heavy-duty plastic ware (forks, knives, spoons), ham, eggs, bacon. Visit their website: www.poverellohouse.org.
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US