Hagelin 4 Easter C pg. 1

I. Exalted

Paintings and images of Christ the Good Shepherd usually depict a handsome immaculately manicured Jesus lovingly staring at a snow-white little lamb cradled in his arms. To be honest, I find these images unhelpful and perhaps even misleading.

Today’s second reading from Revelation described Jesus’ love with Shepherding language, but in contrast to the classic Good Shepherd image, let’s keep in mind just how this book describes His appearance – we had it two Sundays ago:

A son of man, wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest. The hair of his head was as white as…snow, and his eyes were like a fiery flame. His feet were like polished brass refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing water. In his right hand he held seven stars. A sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth, and his face shone like the sun at its brightest. St. John describes his reaction:

When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead.

Not exactly a tame Jesus cradling a baby sheep, right? Closer to Thanos, the galactic supervillain from the Avengers movie currently breaking every box office record.

Although the glory of the Lord Jesus was veiled as He walked the earth, I think the – just mentioned – fiery flame in His eyes shone through. Thus some were scared of Him, and others irresistibly drawn to Him. Those who “hear [His] voice…and follow [Him]” today’s Second Reading promises:

They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For [He] will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water.

And the fierce protectiveness and love of this Good Shepherd, led Jesus to directly challenge false shepherds which led to His crucifixion, in fact, the verse that immediately follows where our Gospel ends today – they are picking up rocks to try to stone Him. Seriously. Again, do what you will, but don’t imagine a tame Good Shepherd. Hagelin 4 Easter C pg. 2

Now, in addition to the fiery, glorified Good Shepherd – there is another seemingly opposite way to view Him that, I think is also true and good.

II. Domestic

You know, in Jesus’ day, shepherds were suspect – they were rough & tumble transients of questionable moral character. Similar to how people viewed sailors in the 17-18th Centuries, and cowboys in the 19th Century.

And truly, Jesus raised suspicion: a wanderer and unmarried – and even accused of being in league with demons. He espoused a love so intense & fierce, YET tender & personally involved in His “sheep’s lives” – that Shepherd imagery is perfect. But keeping in mind how messy our redemption actually was – that the Lord was crucified – we would be wise to modify the classic Good Shepherd image – perhaps a sheep with a broken leg whose wool is caked with grime; and Jesus – the Good Shepherd – with dirt under his nails, rough hands, disheveled hair, with some cuts and scrapes and bruises.

III. Motherhood

All you mothers out there – this is much closer to what motherhood is in lived reality, is it not? And yet, paradoxically, it is a vocation so important and graced that lofty God like language and images are not out of bounds to describe this noble vocation of motherhood we celebrate.

In calling Himself the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus evokes a role that is BOTH enormously majestic & exceptionally domestic. Gritty and humble, yet God in the flesh. And thank goodness – I don’t need a relationship with a domesticated, unrealistically clean shepherd – but with Christ, who as God has redeemed me, and as a REAL human can actually befriend me.

The love of the Lord Jesus is unconditional and fierce. So too the Lord ordained the love of motherhood to be. So we rightly honor our moms this day. But as I conclude, I ask you to reflect a bit further: Hagelin 4 Easter C pg. 3

 Moms – the most tender affection and love you have every felt for your children is just a shadow: a small hint of God’s love for you. Let that sink in a second.  And children (which we all are) we are called to a deep appreciation for how our mothers have loved us and what they sacrificed for us. But to also know that this is but a hint of the love the Lord pours out upon us, and what God has done for us in Jesus.

Understanding this – just as we honor our moms today - we are called to a grateful response to God’s love. This is nothing other than recognizing that because Christ loves us – He will lead us to green pasture if we but “listen to His voice;” so that we may follow in the path our Good Shepherd traces for us, with deep gratitude on our way to our heavenly destiny.

Happy Mother’s Day. And Praised be Jesus Christ.