Am I one of the Sheep? Really?

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051319.cfm
Acts 11:1-18
John 10:1-10

While there are many cases where God spoke to someone in a dream, he has never used that medium to speak to me. I presume he knows that what little I remember of such psychic phantasies would make little more than a pruned short story in which the main characters’ initials might be lucky enough to survive the arrival of the morning sun. Likewise with visions — trance or no trance. However, Peter’s experience in this first reading should be sufficient to rehabilitate my wounded ego. After all, Peter had to experience the vision three times before he began to see clearly, and even then, his understanding had to be verbally assisted. The image retained from any vision that comes my way would probably be as garbled as a ripe melon dropped from an airplane.

Nevertheless, I’m convinced that the Lord speaks to me.

Not in dreams; and not in visions. But principally in the concrete elements of reality.

Sometimes it’s in the unanticipated words or actions of another. Sometimes it’s in a local or national news event. Sometimes it’s in a storyline from a TV show or movie or book. Almost always it’s a commentary on something I’m already thinking about — like today’s readings.

The gospel is most commonly viewed as a commentary on Jesus, the Good Shepherd. It recalls other Scriptural passages which use the same image. The images frequently pre-figured the coming Messiah; and, in Isaiah, that image becomes obvious: ‘He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.’ (Isaiah 40:11)

The role of this heaven-sent figure is further described in a passage from the book of Judith. The chosen one of God will be led by God and will, in turn, lead God’s people: ‘Then I [your God] will lead you through the middle of Jude'a, till you come to Jerusalem; and I will set your throne in the midst of it; and you will lead them like sheep that have no shepherd." (Judith 11:19)

The Psalmist also reflects upon the divine shepherd in describing how God brought his people out of Egypt: ‘Then he led forth his people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.’ (Psalm 78:52)

The link between the Messiah and God are even blurred in the book of the prophet Ezekiel. "For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.” (Ezekiel 34:11)

All of this was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. And, lest anyone miss the connection between the Old and the New, it is spelled out by Mark for all to read. ‘As Jesus landed he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.’ (Mark 6:34) Hmmm? Sound familiar? We just read that line from the book of Judith. Jesus, as the good shepherd, is mentioned in multiple places in the gospel texts, as in the one from this morning.

Since all of this about the Shepherds is so well known, it seems appropriate to say a few words about the sheep. From this passage of John we learn the following:

Each sheep has its own name; that name the shepherd also knows.

The sheep follows the shepherd but not others, and certainly not strangers.

The sheep knows his masters voice.

From Psalm 23 we learn a few more things about the sheep.

The sheep is confident that it shall not want as long as it is with his shepherd.

Rest, green pastures and still waters are all gifts to be counted on from his shepherd.

The sheep knows the shepherd will not demand too much from him; but rather will restore his spirit when necessary.

The sheep knows that his shepherd always directs him toward righteousness.

Evils are not to be feared when one is accompanied by one’s shepherd.

Goodness, mercy and blessings are always something I, as a sheep, can count on when I am with my shepherd.

Even his rod and his staff, which the shepherd uses for correction, are a comfort to me, knowing I, as a sheep, can rely on him.

Today God spoke to me in the words of Scripture. He said: If I want to check up on my faith in Jesus, I need only ask how many of these teachings are really true for me. Am I, indeed, one of his sheep?