"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures He gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; He refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for His name's sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage." These first four verses of Ps 23 are some of the most comforting words found in Sacred Scripture. Most, if not all, adult Christians have heard them many times.

The idea that God is the good shepherd of His flock (all mankind) is common in both the Old and New Testament.

Jesus says in Jn 10:11-13, "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep."

(Dr. William Barclay, a prominent and respected Protestant scripture scholar who is no longer with us, is the source for much of my insight into the terrain of Judea and the role of a Palestine shepherd. His Biblical commentary on the New Testament (NT) is excellent. For decades, many Catholic as well as Protestant seminaries have used Dr. Barclay's NT commentary to educate seminarians. Please understand that many Protestant Biblical writers and theologians can offer Catholics a lot of scriptural insight; so, if you have a solid understanding of Catholic doctrine and teaching, do not be afraid to read and use their writings. Be advised, Dr. Barclay and other respected Protestant authors will avoid or distort Catholic Christian teaching: such as the real meaning of the Bread of Life [Eucharist] discourse found in John 6.)

When Jesus walked the earth, the main part of Judea was a central plateau. It covered a distance of 35 miles. The ground was predominantly rough and stony. It was not good for farming, but enough grass grew there that shepherds and their flocks made it their home.

A shepherd's life was very hard. Flocks never grazed without their shepherd. He was never off duty. Since there was little grass and no fenced-in areas, the sheep wandered. They had to be constantly watched. Dr. Barclay says that a shepherd displayed three necessary characteristics: constant vigilance, fearless courage, and patient love for his flock. A shepherd lived a dangerous life. Not only did he have to guard his flock from wild animals, especially wolves, but he had to guard against thieves and robbers. Palestine sheep were raised for their wool, not for food. Thus, these sheep spent their life with their shepherd. The shepherd walked in front and his sheep followed. The sheep knew and understood their shepherd's voice; and they would not answer to the voice of a stranger.

Verse 14 in Jn 10 continues, "I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep."

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. His flock is with Him always: from birth through death into eternity (if our final destination is heaven). Do we hear the message of our Good Shepherd and live our lives, accordingly? Or, do we hear and react to the over abundance of messages and demands on our time from our secular world and community? Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is the one true shepherd. He protects His sheep. He seeks the lost. He heals the crippled. He carries the weak and small on His shoulders.

Verse 16 tells us, "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd."

Every man, woman, and child is dependent on God, just as every sheep is dependent on their shepherd. There are strange voices that constantly shout at us. "You only live once, go for it. If you want it, take it, no one is going to give it to you on a silver platter. There is no truth; truth is what you believe. There is no God; don't depend on something you cannot see, hear, touch, or feel. Depend on yourself."

We need to know, understand, and listen to the voice of Christ. It's the one clear voice that never changes the message. And what is that message? "Do you want to join me in heaven? Then believe in me. Repent of your sins. Be baptized and live out the grace you received at your baptism. Grow and thrive on the grace I give you through the other sacraments. Keep my commandments. Do not be afraid to live and preach my gospel. Do my will, not your will. Endure your suffering as I endured mine. Deny your very self, take up your cross each day, and follow me."

The Good Shepherd is never off duty. Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, is the Good Shepard. Call on Him and depend on Him, often and always.

For more insight read CCC paragraphs 160, 754. Also, pull out your "Catholic" Bible and reference Ps 23; 100:3; Is 40:1-11; Ezek 34; Jer 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 23:1-6; Mt 9:36; 18:10-14; 26:31; Mk 6:34; 14:27; Lk 12:32; 15:1-7; Jn 10: 1-30; 21:15-17; Eph 2:17-18.