The Fourth Sunday of Easter, commonly called Good Shepherd Sunday, explores the idea of the Lord as guardian of our souls. In this episode we look at the image of Jesus as the gate of the sheepfold and see how this image makes sense in First Century Palestinian sheepherding. We also look at the Old Testament prophecies foretelling a new Davidic shepherd for the people of God specifically in the Book of Ezekiel and we end by unpacking the gorgeous images contained in the famous Psalm 23.
Bibliography/Resources
The Gospel of John (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture Series)
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller
Verbum Bible Software - www.verbum.com
References
Ezekiel 34 - "1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ho, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the crippled you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the wild beasts. [etc, etc]"
Psalm 42:11 - "Why are you downcast, O my soul?"
1 Peter 2:25 - "For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls."