Jesus is the source and ground of Love: the Good Shepherd whocontinually gives his life.

Jesus is the gateway: We hear the image that Jesus employs from the gospel, that of the entryway into the sheep fold, the last barrier to keep the sheep safe, after all that is the first duty of a shepherd, it would be impossible to do so in the open field and he needs the physical protection afforded by an enclosure with the shepherd literally taking the place for the entry and exit of the sheep.  Today as I walked the south Path along the Saw Mill I saw a family of six all on bicycles with masks and helmets, the Father in front and the Mom taking up the rear.  I thought of this passage and imagined that Jesus was both leading us and protecting us on all sides.   We are invited to recognize all the time that it is Jesus, the Good Shepherd the true pastoral gateway who watches over us and gives his life for us. Wednesday, I took the north path and on the path in chalk was written: Jesus not puppy but- true love and then the citation of John 3:16.  The Eucharist that we celebrate together is the special gift that the Lord gives us to be a source of protection, nourishment and life.  
Jesus is the Good Shepherd There is only one Shepherd and it is Jesus ,;  there is only one gateway and it is Jesus ;  there is only one lamb and it is Jesus.  Every Sunday and especially during the Easter time, the focus is always on Jesus and our relationship with Jesus.   Why because there is no salvation in any other name except Jesus,  there is no other means of revelation of the Father except through Jesus .  the centrality of Jesus is evident in all the many Christian churches.  Jesus is the only shepherd and we try to imitate his example in how we care for one another, for their sake and not for our own nor for the church as institution but the church as the people of God.  One of the grandest things that the second Vatican Council did was to re-imagine the church as the People of God.   The truth is that we all try to imitate the generosity, the watchfulness and the care of the Good Shepherd.  Pope Francis exhorted all priests:   “The heart of the Good Shepherd tells us that his love is limitless.  It is never exhausted and it never gives up.”
 
There are other sheep other flocks: There is no one who is not redeemed by the sacrifice of the lamb of God.   For Jesus there is no we and them there is only us.   Jesus became the human scapegoat in order to unmask the lie that shifts the blame for one tragedy on a group of people.  The Good Shepherd that never leads his flock untended.  Whose voice does he knw?  He knows our voice the voice of women and men and all people created in the divine image.  Who can hear his voice all of us can hear the voice of God, each in their own way, telling us that we are loved, we are precious, we are worthy of life. Even at this crucial period, we can take comfort that He remains with us and leads us to refreshment and life.  Jesus is also the sacrificial lamb, he gives himself totally and completely for us, until there is nothing left to give.  Yet the proof of the Father’s love for him and for us is there, he is given life again, not as a reward but as a means to continue the work of salvation.
Jesus gives us the perfect example of sharing the abundance of the Creator with all of creation.  All of wherever we come from, whatever our training, whoever we are  called  work for the benefit of the human community, recognizing all the time that it is Christ, the Good Shepherd the true pastoral gateway who watches over us and gives his life for us.  Jesus’ love is True love that vanquishes all fear, all loathing, all pettiness, all selfishness.  The Eucharist that we celebrate together is the special gift that the Lord gives us to be a source of protection, nourishment and life. 
Fr. Bob