Have you ever dreamed of such a guardian, teacher or educator, which would be strong, firm and demanding, and at the same time good, friendly and direct. You would feel good and safe with such a guardian. You would consider yourself very happy, if he would call you by your name and love you personally. Your entire class desires a guide like this. Whole nations dream of such leaders and managers, and even all of humanity.
God meets people's desires, when he announces the Good Shepherd for his people.
God entrusts his people to the shepherds
One of the main activities of the chosen people of the Old Covenant was pastoralism. Patriarchs were, above all, shepherds. Therefore, in the religious life of the chosen people, we encounter images taken from pastoral lives. When e.g.. God led them to the Promised Land, they considered themselves a flock led by God himself as Shepherd.
God has delegated care of his people to leaders and kings. They were replacing God. They were called the shepherds of God's people. Already Moses at the end of his life turns to God with a request :
"Oh my God, on which the life of all beings on earth depends, designate a husband to direct this gathering, who would go out and come back at its head, he led them out and brought them back, that the gathering of God would not be like a herd without a shepherd " (Lb 27, 16-17).
King David was also a shepherd. God took him from the flock of sheep and made him the shepherd of his people. He was not physically strong, but he had a brave heart, sacrificial and righteous. He diligently guarded the People of God, looked after him and defended him against enemies. David knew, that he is leading God's flock. Therefore, he put all his trust in God. He turned to God with confidence, calling Him "his stronghold and shield, rock and salvation ". God wanted such a shepherd for his people. God speaks about David, that "He pastured them in the righteousness of his heart and led them wisely with his hands" (Ps 77, 72).
Not all Israeli leaders led the chosen people like this, as God wanted. Not all of them cared the way David did – a shepherd for the good of God's people.
God promises his people a new David-Shepherd
The leaders of the chosen people often left their God-entrusted people. They only cared about their welfare and wealth. The nation was abandoned like sheep without a shepherd. God, who was bound to this people by covenant, and how the Father looked after them, he saw a people abandoned by evil shepherds, lost and hurt. Therefore, through the prophet Ezekiel, in strong words, he promises a new David-Shepherd.
"This is what God says : Behold, I myself will seek my sheep and take care of them. How a shepherd inspects his flock, when he is among the scattered sheep, yes I will inspect my sheep and release them from all places, where they scattered on dark and gloomy days. I will lead them out of the nations and gather them out of the countries, I will bring them back to their land and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country… I myself will shepherd my sheep, and I myself will lay them down, says God. I will find the lost one, I will bring the lost one back, I will fix the wounded one, I will strengthen the sick, and the fat and strong I will protect. I will pasture fairly… And I will appoint one shepherd over them, who will feed them, my servant, David. He will pasture them, he will be their shepherd. And I will be their God, and my servant, David, he will be the ruler among them. And, God, I said it " (This 34, 11-13. 15-16. 23-24).*
Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd
Ezekiel's announcement was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Here is how St.. John gives us the words of the Lord Jesus Christ : “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The mercenary and this one, who is not the shepherd, whose sheep are not owned, seeing the coming wolf, he leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf grabs them and scatters them - and that's why, that he is a mercenary and does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd and I know my sheep, and mine know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. I also have other sheep, which are not of this flock. I must bring them too, and they will hear my voice and one flock will come, one shepherd " (J 10, 11-16).
How will I answer God ?
Ezekiel's prophecy about the only shepherd you will hear in the Church during the celebration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Gospel of the Good Shepherd is read in 4 Sunday after Easter. These readings are also an invitation to you, that you would give God an answer to the great love of the Good Shepherd.
Are you trying to get to know Jesus Christ better, Good Shepherd ? Do you turn to Him with confidence in all your affairs ? Do you let yourself be led by the Good Shepherd ? You can express gratitude to the Good Shepherd in the words of a psalm :
“The Lord is my shepherd, I miss nothing ;
allows me to lie in green pastures. He leads me to the waters, where can i rest ; refreshes my soul.
He is leading me in the right paths for the sake of his name.
Even if I walk in a dark valley, I will not be afraid of evil, because you are with me.
Your stick and your stick are comforting me right now.
You set a table for me in front of my opponents; you anoint my head with oil : my cup is overflowing.
So, goodness and grace will follow me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of God for the longest time " (Ps 22).
■ Think:
1. To whom God entrusted the care of the chosen people ?
2. Which of the kings of the chosen people is the image of the true Shepherd-Guide of the People of God ?
3. Why did God foretell the rejection of the Chosen People's Shepherd Leaders? ?
4. In whom the prophecy about the new David-Shepherd was fulfilled ?
5. When we read Ezekiel's prophecy about the new David-Shepherd ?
■ Remember:
70. What God reveals to us in the biblical image of the Good Shepherd ?
In the biblical image of the Good Shepherd, God reveals to us, that he leads his people with strength and love through Jesus Christ.
■ Task :
1. Search for words in Ezekiel's prophecy, which best show God's love for people. Arrange them into a prayer of thanksgiving.
2. Based on Ezekiel's prophecy, list the characteristics in your notebook, which the good shepherd has.
■ Compare :
Word of god : “He chose his servant David and took him to the sheepfolds ; called him, when he followed the nursing mothers (sheep), to shepherd Jacob, his people and of Israel, His legacy. He pastured them in the righteousness of his heart and led them wisely with his hands " (Ps 77, 70-72).
"As for us, your people and the sheep of your flock, we will thank You forever and proclaim Your glory through all generations " (Ps 78, 13).