Church of the
Annunciation

A pediatric nurse includes the child in the examination by placing the plugs of the stethoscope in the child’s ears and the disc over the child’s heart. With wonder and fascination the child hears her/his own heart beat. The nurse asks: “What do you suppose it is?” One child responds: “Is it Jesus?” Our Gospel is about listening to sounds: the Good Shepherds calls the sheep by name and the sheep recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd. Jesus takes a figure of speech from Psalm 23 -- the Lord is my Shepherd -- and applies it to himself. A good shepherd will lead the sheep to green pastures, to fresh water and will lay down his/her life for the well-being/safety of the sheep. A key to understanding John chapter 10 is found in John chapter 21 where Jesus, the Risen Lord, restores the office of shepherding to Peter. Peter earlier had failed to be a good shepherd by denying 3 times that he knew Jesus. Now in response to the questions of Jesus, Peter expresses his love 3 times. Peter is given the mission to feed and tend the sheep. How does he do? In our first reading from Acts, Peter stands publicly to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. Many come forward to be baptized. Much later, Peter will lay down his life as the Good Shepherd! The office of shepherding is restored to Peter and the other apostles; and to moms, dads, teachers, pastors and nurses who give of themselves in gentle care and sacrificial love. For many of us, the person we first hear speaking to us with the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is our mom!