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Exegesis
April 13, 2008 Fourth Sunday of Easter (A) Rev. Timothy P. Schehr Acts 2:36-41 X 1 Peter 2:20-25 X John 10:1-10
This Sunday we will sing Psalm 23 about God leading us to green pastures and safe waters. Speaking of God as Shepherd goes all the way back to the days of the patriarchs. Jacob, in his blessing for his son Joseph, referred to God as “the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel” (Gn 49:24). The prophets spoke of God as Shepherd too. In the celebrated chapter 34 of his book, the prophet Ezekiel looks forward to a time when God will shepherd the people, taking far better care of them than so many of David’s successors ever did. Ezekiel’s vision finds perfect fulfillment in Jesus, Son of David and Son of God. He is the Good Shepherd who not only looks after his sheep but even lays down his life for the sheep.
The people of Israel had plenty of experience with the thieves and marauders we hear of in the Gospel. But in Jesus they at last have a shepherd who walks in front of them and steers them towards life. The many healings Jesus worked are examples of this. But Jesus also walked in front of his people through the Paschal mystery we celebrate this Easter. And his victory over death offered them hope beyond all their dreams.
And there’s more. Jesus takes the image of Shepherd another step. Jesus the Good Shepherd makes the surprising announcement that he is also the Gateway to the sheep. True shepherds of the sheep must enter through him. As both Shepherd and Gate Jesus cares for his sheep as no other could. As Shepherd he leads the flock to green pastures and life-giving waters; as Gate Jesus wants only good shepherds like himself to have access to the sheep. The apostle Peter was just such a shepherd. And we hear him calling out to the flock in the first and second readings this Sunday.
Peter knew all about gateways. At a gate Peter denied any association at all with Jesus of Nazareth. It happened the night of the Lord’s arrest when Peter stood in the courtyard of the high priest awaiting the outcome of the hearing. But later Peter stands before another gate, the Risen Lord. Before this Gate, Peter three times declares his love for the Lord. Now that Peter has entered through this Gate, Jesus entrusts this apostle with the care of his flock, telling him to feed his sheep and feed his lambs. We can be sure Peter is a good and safe shepherd because he has the overwhelming approval of his Lord.
We see Peter fulfilling his good shepherd role in the first reading. On the day of Pentecost Peter stands up with the eleven and raises his voice to proclaim the good news. Peter has set aside all the doubts that formerly hindered his full commitment to the Lord. Now he boldly proclaims the good news urging his fellow Jews to repent and accept baptism. As Peter explains, the promise of salvation was given first to them and to their children. So why hesitate? Repent and believe! Peter’s words, spoken through the power of the Holy, struck a cord with his audience. Luke joyfully announces that about three thousand people accepted the message that day.
We see Peter in his role as faithful and trustworthy shepherd also in the second reading. The passage comes from his first letter. He encourages his fellow Christians to remain faithful to the promises made at baptism. They suffer for their faith, but they have the perfect example in Jesus who suffered for them. Peter says they once strayed like lost sheep, but now they have “returned to the shepherd.”
© Fr. Timothy Schehr
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