Fourth Sunday of Easter

Today's Mass Readings

Sometimes hearing a few words at the right moment can make all the difference. When things are really hectic, and we wonder how we are going to handle conflicting needs and how they will turn out, we begin to feel a great deal of stress. But if a friend comes along and promises: “I have your back,” those words are priceless and provide a beacon of light in the darkness.

I’m not certain about the origin of the phrase but it does imply a genuine sense of caring, loyalty, and friendship. You know your friend will be with you and will go to limit.

Rewind for a moment to biblical times. Few of us have ever been shepherds, but it isn’t hard to imagine how a flock of sheep or goats is totally vulnerable unless they were brought into a rock walled corral at night. It’s important to note that according to the biblical scholars, typically those corrals had no swing gates at the opening. The shepherd would call the flock into the corral and would then spend the night lying down across the opening to be the gate. Literally a predator or robber would have to pass over the body of the shepherd to get to the flock. The shepherd would either chase the intruder away or be willing to die. 

Jesus is using the shepherd theme this Sunday to identify himself and His mission to the crowd. They understood how a shepherd developed a bond of trust with the flock by calling out to them. They understood that the bond between shepherd and flock was so strong that the shepherd was willing to sacrifice life and limb to protect them. 

Now, fast forward to today. We can wonder whether our fast-moving and dangerously unfocused world acknowledges our ultimate dependence on the One who loves us to the limit. We are not self-sufficient. Our present vulnerability to the various threats of violence and disease around the world should convince us of that. If ever there was a time when the world needed the witness of the highest ideals of mutual support and compassion based on the dignity of the human person, it is now. 

The Paschal Mystery continues to remind us during this season that Christ as the Good Shepherd has not only died for us, changing death into life, but also continues to be with us through the power of the Holy Spirit. That gives us hope and courage. It calls for a basic forward thrust in attitude toward genuine service. It calls us to decide how and when we have an opportunity to make that simple but powerful promise: “I have your back.” 

Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB