4th Sunday of Easter

May 6, 2001

by Rev. Herbert Nichols

In Last Sunday's gospel we heard Jesus say to Peter (and to us as well) Do you Love me? Tend my sheep: In today's readings we address both moral and physical courage of shepherd and sheep.

The scriptures do not sentimentalize shepherds as pretty holy cards often do. We hear only the conclusion of a long speech by Jesus addressed to the shepherds on their responsibilities of vigilance and sacrifice of strength and worthiness. Qualities which do not come easy in any age, particularly perhaps our own.

Very basically the shepherd is one who must put his faith into action who must put into practice what he preaches--or as some would say today: "Put your money where your mouth is?"

The scriptures also speak to the sheep today: Jesus says in the gospel: I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one shall snatch them from my hand. The book of Revelation (also attributed to John) likewise speaks of this guarantee--this vision of triumph--this gathering op peoples from the far reaches of the earth who have endured trials like their shepherds--but are now clothed in the white robes of baptismal integrity.

If we further extract from this reading the lines about those who shall no longer hunger or thirst and place them in the context of the first reading concerning the shepherding done by Paul and Barnabas--we can understand a little more easily these lines on how --even in suffering and rejection - the disciples knew only how to be filled with the Holy Spirit and with joy.

Hunger, thirst, tears, as well as joy will always be a part of our lives. Hut if our experience of joy is pure and eternal. If we to recognize the vision of John described in Revelation. It must also be local. It must begin within our own parish, with our St. Vincent de Paul Societies and Serve Programs.

And particularly this month and this afternoon. It must be a general outreach to enable our shepherd, for that is the origin of the word bishop: the one who shepherds over us. Ever notice that even in the 20th century he carries a shepherds staff when he celebrates the Sacred Liturgy.

When the knock comes on the door this afternoon. It is his representative who is knocking to ask help to feed his sheep; to tend his lambs. Hut it is also someone else.

Nearly 15 years ago I witnessed a very special Cathedral door in Cologne Germany. which had four panels.

The first showed six stone water jars recalling the change of water into wine at Cana.

The second showed the five loaves, and two fish multiplied to feed 5,000 people on the hill outside Capernaum. Most of whom deserted him, when he began teaching about His Body and Blood as real food and drink.

The third was the Last Supper at which even one of his apostles deserted him precisely because of the illogic of this teaching.

The fourth The supper table at Emmaus after the long walk and the recognizing of Jesus in the breaking of the bread.

I know of no other work of art that. could better portray this cohesiveness of the Eucharist.

I have seen the door myself and witnessed its beauty. I have been in Jerusalem and unfortunately because of religious rituals I was not able to enter and witness the door of the Cenacle--the upper room in which the Last Supper took place---where Thomas was invited and accepted to receive mercy--where all were confirmed in the Holy Spirit and their lives radically changed.

It was neither of these doors through which Jesus walked to meet me. It was another door much closer where I met him face to face. and he changed my life.

Perhaps today, this afternoon, it might just be Jesus who knocks on your door and finds a lost or starving sheep to feed one who is in a better position to help another.

Who knows? You will only Know if you answer the door.