4th Sunday of Easter
‘Good Shepherd Sunday’
John 10:1-10
On the 8th of May 2014, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has just released a very strong Statement on the Federal Government’s cruel treatment of Asylum Seekers:
The Australian Catholic Bishops call on parliamentarians of all parties to turn away from these policies, which shame Australia and to take the path of a realistic compassion that deals with both human need and electoral pressure. We call on the nation as a whole to say no to the dark forces, which make these policies possible. The time has come to examine our conscience and then to act differently (Bishops Commission for Pastoral life).
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus reminds us that he cares so much for all of humanity. He says, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly”. Obviously, every asylum seeker and refugee arriving on Australian shores desire to live more truly and abundantly. They have the same God-given basic needs as every other human being on this planet and therefore, have every right to seek them. But sadly the decision to start closing down ten detention centres around Australia has prompted the shepherds of the Catholic Church in Australia to take a prophetic stand and speak up. I am particularly encouraged to hear that the Australian Bishops are questioning the cultural values of the land Down Under and making an option for the poor.
Like the Good Shepherd, Jesus the Christ, who suffered for us, we need all Christian leaders to be men and women of courage and commitment to making sure that all get a share of the earths’ wealth. In the first letter of Peter, chapter two he says:
For to this you have been called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
The Church in Australia has a wonderful mission in this day and age to be shepherd-like, a Church who hears the voice of the lost and hungry sheep that come to our shores. And a good shepherd while protecting the ninety-nine sheep would risk his own life to go for the lost one. As Christians we no longer need to remove ourselves from what is happening in our world. The time has come to act. Our prayer lives must lead to real involvement.
Today’s mission is most exciting simply because this is all God’s work and our struggle for the multitudes who are frustrated, unwanted, slum dwellers, women and kids on the street, the unemployed, asylum seekers - are the very people for whom Jesus existed and died.
He did not just risk his life for us but he consciously gave his life for our sake.
On this Good Shepherd Sunday Jesus is making a very important lesson for all church and civil leaders who sit at the gates, that is, a new nation can only come about if leaders are willing to lay down their lives for the poor who approach the gates. New awakening can only come about through a kind of death of some sort. Jesus lived his humanity truly, dispossessing himself of all ego, claiming no rank or possession, free of any attachments, and so was able to care for his sheep even in his moments of vulnerability.
Could it be true that Australia as a nation is struggling for freedom from within to realize its greatest potential!
May the pierced merciful heart of the Shepherd bring forth good spiritual church leaders and politicians who could lead humanity according to God’s compassionate heart.
Read the Bishops' Statement by clicking here.