The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
One of the most recognizable titles for Jesus is "The Good Shepherd." While this title certainly covers some aspects of Jesus' tender care for us, his sheep, I often find it a bit underwhelming due to our modern pacified understanding of shepherds. Unfortunately, we have come to see shepherds as simply watchers of gentle lambs whose only job is to make sure these docile animals don't wander too far off. However, the true vocation of a shepherd is as a fierce protector who puts their lives on the line to defend their flock from the evil that seeks to devour these otherwise defenseless animals. This often meant they would face threats regardless of their own safety, because their livelihood was directly tied to protecting the animals entrusted to them.
I often think of a young David using his work as a shepherd to justify why he was willing and able to face a formidable foe like Goliath.
"Then David told Saul: 'Your servant used to tend his father's sheep, and whenever a lion or bear came to carry off a sheep from the flock, I would chase after it, attack it, and snatch the prey from its mouth. If it attacked me, I would seize it by the throat, strike it, and kill it.'"
This selfless defense for the sake of those placed in his care is the true mark of a shepherd. Knowing this, we can turn our thoughts back to Jesus as both the fulfillment of King David and the true Good Shepherd. How perfectly does Jesus embody this title of shepherd by His selfless love for us? Just as David was willing to fight off lions, bears, and even Goliath for his sheep, Jesus is now standing with us against these and countless other vicious foes.
Let us embrace the call to be the gentle flock who humbly submits and entrusts ourselves to His care, now with even greater confidence, knowing He is the fiercest shepherd who will fight off any adversary to protect His sheep because it is who He is.
"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want."
Thomas Lyons is a Catholic speaker with a background in ministry, teaching, and public speaking. He lives in the Texas Hill Country with his wife Amanda and hosts the podcast Continuing the Call: A Seminary Dropout’s Guide to Discernment. When he isn’t reading all manner of Catholic media, he is cheering on Chelsea FC and enjoying a freshly pulled espresso.