The Good Shepherd

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John

     Jesus said:
     “I am the good shepherd.
     A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
     A hired man, who is not a shepherd
     and whose sheep are not his own,
     sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
     and the wolf catches and scatters them.
     This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
     I am the good shepherd,
     and I know mine and mine know me,
     just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
     and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
     I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
     These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
     and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
     This is why the Father loves me,
     because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
     No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
     I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
     This command I have received from my Father.”


     Jesus knows you and loves you in a way that no one else can. He stands by you and joins you at all parts of your life… both in joy and pain. When was the last time you were suffering, and someone you loved chose to suffer with you? Those who are willing to suffer with you are truly special people who love you. Now imagine this love that was shown to you and think of Jesus who chose suffering so He could be with you and protect you.

     We use the word “good” a lot, but in the case of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the word “good” means something much more than the average connotation of the word. In this Gospel, “good” means “good” in the most profound and truly breathtaking sense. To fully understand its meaning, we must come to know the world’s role as the “bad shepherds and wolves'' and our role as a sheep in order to know Jesus as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. 

     In the Gospel, Jesus talks about the “bad shepherds and the wolves.” The bad shepherds are also known as the “hired hands,” and they do not love and tend to the sheep like the Good Shepherd does. The bad shepherds see the wolves and run away and leave the sheep out of fear. The bad shepherds and wolves are the things leading you away from the One who loves you, and can take many different forms. It could be a violent video game, a bad website or a sketchy party; anything that could turn your eyes from Jesus causing you to sin. 

     It is important to remember that we need to stay safe, but how do we do this? We must remain close to the Good Shepherd, Jesus! He instituted the Church, and made it a place we, His sheep, can take refuge.The question we must then ask ourselves is how can we be faithful and good sheep? 

     Think of the Church as a “fence” that keeps us close to God. It is our job to remain close to our Good Shepherd and not wander away. Stay in the fence by: 
     1. Having a good faith life (believing when it is hard to see or feel the Shepherd near you.)
     2. Pray daily (pray with confidence, knowing that God is listening closely)
     3. Live a good moral life (avoid sin, and be proactive in doing good)
     4. Go to church and receive the sacraments often (especially the Holy Eucharist and Confession). 

     This Easter Season, be encouraged. The Good Shepherd, who died for you in order to save you, is now risen and alive! He wants to shepherd you, love you and bless you. When we are baptized, we die with Christ, so one day we can rise with Him (Roman 6:4). Hold out to the end, and persevere. The Good Shepherd loves you so dearly, and wants you to live your life, fully alive and full of true love.  

     Here are some questions to ponder this week as you prepare for Good Shepherd Sunday: How do you remain close to the Good Shepherd? What are the wolves in you life? Where in your life have you seen the Good Shepherd defend you? I would also encourage reading Psalm 23 when you have time this week. 

 
About the Author: Austin Young is a seminarian who is in studying to become a priest in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Austin grew up attending St. Jude of the Apostle Catholic Church and always felt as if the Lord was working in his life. In eighth grade, Austin had a very powerful experience in prayer and realized an important truth that strengthened his desire to pray and grow in holiness each day: God loves me and looks forward to hearing my prayers. He attended Catholic High School in Baton Rouge and Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. After college, Austin decided to discern the priesthood and entered seminary where he still continues to talk to the Lord each day and grow in holiness. When he isn’t studying for classes or working in parishes, Austin loves to fish.
Coffee Order: Plain
Favorite Saint (at the moment): St. Joseph, because he was the protector of the Holy Family, and this year is also the “Year of St. Joseph.”
Top Three Songs You’re Listening To: “First” by Lauren Daigle, “The Bible” soundtrack, and “Come Holy One” by Young Oceans
Favorite Song from the Gather Hymnal (aka your favorite traditional church song): Attende Domine

Learn More About Red Stick Catholics


The Well is a weekly reflection series from Red Stick Catholics that was created to allow young adults from the Diocese of Baton Rouge to reveal how God is speaking to them through prayer and Scripture. Each reflection contains the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel, a reflection written by a young adult from the Diocese of Baton Rouge and prompts for how to pray with the Gospel and reflection during the week. If you are interested in writing a reflection, please email Nicole at [email protected].