Shepherd Care for All

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to respond to the prompting of the Spirit to invite the people in our environment to accept the care of the Good Shepherd.

In the Care of the Shepherd

In the Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the Baptism of the Gentiles is Explained.

* [11:1–18] The Jewish Christians of Jerusalem were scandalized to learn of Peter’s sojourn in the house of the Gentile Cornelius. Nonetheless, they had to accept the divine directions given to both Peter and Cornelius. They concluded that the setting aside of the legal barriers between Jew and Gentile was an exceptional ordinance of God to indicate that the apostolic kerygma was also to be directed to the Gentiles. Only in Acts 15 at the “Council” in Jerusalem does the evangelization of the Gentiles become the official position of the church leadership in Jerusalem.

* [11:3] You entered…: alternatively, this could be punctuated as a question.

* [11:12] These six brothers: companions from the Christian community of Joppa (see Acts 10:23). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 42 longs for the divine presence that Israel experienced in the Temple liturgy

* [Psalms 42–43] Ps 42–43 form a single lament of three sections, each section ending in an identical refrain (Ps 42:6, 12; 43:5). The psalmist is far from Jerusalem, and longs for the divine presence that Israel experienced in the Temple liturgy. Despite sadness, the psalmist hopes once again to join the worshiping crowds.

* [42:1] The Korahites: a major guild of Temple singers (2 Chr 20:19) whose name appears in the superscriptions of Ps 42; 44–49; 84–85; 87–88.

* [42:3] See the face of God: “face” designates a personal presence (Gn 33:10; Ex 10:28–29; 2 Sm 17:11). The expressions “see God/God’s face” occur elsewhere (Ps 11:7; 17:15; cf. Ex 24:10; 33:7–11; Jb 33:26) for the presence of God in the Temple.

* [42:5] The shrine of the Mighty One: this reading follows the tradition of the Septuagint and the Vulgate. (Psalms, PSALM 42 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, the good shepherd discourse continues.

* [10:1–21] The good shepherd discourse continues the theme of attack on the Pharisees that ends Jn 9. The figure is allegorical: the hired hands are the Pharisees who excommunicated the cured blind man. It serves as a commentary on Jn 9. For the shepherd motif, used of Yahweh in the Old Testament, cf. Ex 34; Gn 48:15; 49:24; Mi 7:14; Ps 23:1–4; 80:1.

* [10:16] Other sheep: the Gentiles, possibly a reference to “God’s dispersed children” of Jn 11:52 destined to be gathered into one, or “apostolic Christians” at odds with the community of the beloved disciple.

* [10:18] Power to take it up again: contrast the role of the Father as the efficient cause of the resurrection in Acts 2:24; 4:10; etc.; Rom 1:4; 4:24. Yet even here is added: This command I have received from my Father. (John, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mary Lee Brock comments that Pope Leo’s Easter homily had many words of wisdom that helped her name the impact of feeling threatened and overwhelmed. Pope Leo names the many threats we are collectively experiencing.  Internal threats such resentments, worries, and loneliness. And the many external threats we are witnessing (and sadly at times perpetuating), including violence, injustices, partisan selfishness, and the idolatry of profit.

In today’s Gospel from John, Jesus reminds us he is the good shepherd who chooses to lay down his life for his sheep.  I hear a call to action in his words as he reminds us that we can choose to follow his example by reaching out to those who might not belong in the fold, hoping they hear his voice.  The image of Jesus as the shepherd is the opposite of the individualism that is a force in our society and of the transactional nature of many “hired man” relationships.

In this Easter Season, let us be inspired for a new beginning by the words of Pope Leo:

Death opens us up to a hope that never fails, to a light that never fades, to a fullness of joy that nothing can take away: death has been conquered forever; death no longer has power over us! (Brock, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes Green pastures and still waters, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The pastures that this good shepherd has prepared for you, in which he has settled you for you to take your fill, are not various kinds of grasses and green things, among which some are sweet to the taste, some extremely bitter, which as the seasons succeed one another are sometimes there and sometimes not. Your pastures are the words of God and his commandments, and they have all been sown as sweet grasses. These pastures had been tasted by that man who said to God, 'How sweet are your words to my palate, more so than honey and the honeycomb in my mouth!'" (excerpt from Sermon 366,3,1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 10:11-18 comments that just as a shepherd knows all his sheep and can recognize each one individually—even though to an untrained eye they all look the same—Jesus knows us uniquely, intimately. He knows our greatest strengths and deepest weaknesses and sins. He knows and loves us so completely that he freely gave his life for us. “No one takes it from me,” he said, “but I lay it down on my own” (John 10:18).

It can feel unsettling to realize that Jesus knows the depths of our sin, but it is also comforting—he looks upon us with great love and compassion. Think for a minute about a painting or a statue of the Good Shepherd that you might have seen. Maybe Jesus has a lamb around his neck, or perhaps he is holding it close to his heart. Hold onto that image as you pray today. Imagine yourself as that lamb. What thoughts or feelings arise as you are held safely in the arms of Jesus, who knows and loves you so fully? What might you say to the Lord? He already knows your cares and burdens, so you can place them in his capable hands. Open your heart to receive the love that the Good Shepherd has for you.

“Jesus, you are my Good Shepherd. Thank you for laying down your life for me.” (Meditation on John 10:11-18, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Acts, Peter returns to Jerusalem after baptizing a God-fearing Cornelius. Peter had a dream of unclean animals and he initially refuses but God declares nothing God creates is unclean and Cornelius has a vision to call on Simon and the Holy Spirit falls on the household. The Church, in Acts, continues to be guided by the Holy Spirit to go out to the Gentiles. The Good Shepherd will protect his sheep even by giving up his Life. John’s Gospel opens in the Temple and leads to his Jesus Passion as a foreshadowing. In John, The Shepherd has to be attentive to the outside forces and inner impulses of the sheep. Friar Jude notes Jesus' proclamation of one flock and one Shepherd and how, in Jesus, all will become one.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, responds to the question, “Why was Jesus not afraid?” To the people of Israel, throughout the prophets again and again, and in every type of cataclysmic situation, we hear: “Do not be afraid.”  Through Isaiah, “Do not be afraid.” To Joseph, the father of Jesus and husband of Mary, “Do not be afraid.” And, of course, to Mary who said yes, the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary.”

Why this word over and over again? Because we’re afraid! We’re wrapped and sometimes even trapped in our fear. We want to go beyond it and yet somehow it controls us. We fear what we do not know and do not understand. We fear that what we are afraid of will control us, while we long to control our own lives.

Deep down, we long for freedom, but if we want to be free from fear, we must be willing to gaze into God’s eyes as Jesus did. We must be willing to ask the same questions Jesus was asking. It’s not important that we get answers. I don’t think Jesus got that many answers, but we need to be asking the right questions: What is it that we desire? What is it that we’re trying to protect? What is it that we’re afraid is going to overtake us and control us?

We can’t attack fear head on. We can’t simply say to ourselves, “Don’t be afraid” because it doesn’t work. It isn’t that simple. We have to go deeper, be curious about where the fear is coming from, and trust God with it. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invite the Spirit to inform our contemplation of the role of the Good Shepherd in our spiritual journey and in the mission of believers gathered by the Spirit to “shepherd” His flock.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/11?1 

Brock, M. L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved April 27, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-27-2026 

John, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/10?11 

Meditation on John 10:11-18. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 27, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/27/1551428/ 

Psalms, PSALM 42 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/42? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Calming Our Fears. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 27, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/calming-our-fears/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Am the Good Shepherd. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 27, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Anointed and Beloved

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today mark the end of the Christmas Season with the Feast of The Baptism of the Lord.

Baptism of the Lord Icon

The Reading from the Prophet Isaiah introduces The Servant of the Lord.

* [42:1–4] Servant: three other passages have been popularly called “servant of the Lord” poems: 49:1–7; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12. Whether the servant is an individual or a collectivity is not clear (e.g., contrast 49:3 with 49:5). More important is the description of the mission of the servant. In the early Church and throughout Christian tradition, these poems have been applied to Christ; cf. Mt 12:18–21.

* [42:3] Bruised reed…: images to express the gentle manner of the servant’s mission.

* [42:4] Coastlands: for Israel, the world to the west: the islands and coastal nations of the Mediterranean. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 42 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 29 acknowledges God’s supremacy by ascribing glory and might to God alone.

* [Psalm 29] The hymn invites the members of the heavenly court to acknowledge God’s supremacy by ascribing glory and might to God alone (Ps 29:1–2a, 9b). Divine glory and might are dramatically visible in the storm (Ps 29:3–9a). The storm apparently comes from the Mediterranean onto the coast of Syria-Palestine and then moves inland. In Ps 29:10 the divine beings acclaim God’s eternal kingship. The Psalm concludes with a prayer that God will impart the power just displayed to the Israelite king and through the king to Israel. (Psalms, PSALM 29 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Peter’s Speech.

* [10:34–43] Peter’s speech to the household of Cornelius typifies early Christian preaching to Gentiles.

* [10:34–35] The revelation of God’s choice of Israel to be the people of God did not mean he withheld the divine favor from other people.

* [10:36–43] These words are more directed to Luke’s Christian readers than to the household of Cornelius, as indicated by the opening words, “You know.” They trace the continuity between the preaching and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth and the proclamation of Jesus by the early community. The emphasis on this divinely ordained continuity (Acts 10:41) is meant to assure Luke’s readers of the fidelity of Christian tradition to the words and deeds of Jesus.

* [10:36] To the Israelites: Luke, in the words of Peter, speaks of the prominent position occupied by Israel in the history of salvation.

* [10:38] Jesus of Nazareth: God’s revelation of his plan for the destiny of humanity through Israel culminated in Jesus of Nazareth. Consequently, the ministry of Jesus is an integral part of God’s revelation. This viewpoint explains why the early Christian communities were interested in conserving the historical substance of the ministry of Jesus, a tradition leading to the production of the four gospels. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew proclaims The Baptism of Jesus.

* [3:13–17] The baptism of Jesus is the occasion on which he is equipped for his ministry by the holy Spirit and proclaimed to be the Son of God.

* [3:14–15] This dialogue, peculiar to Matthew, reveals John’s awareness of Jesus’ superiority to him as the mightier one who is coming and who will baptize with the holy Spirit (Mt 3:11). His reluctance to admit Jesus among the sinners whom he is baptizing with water is overcome by Jesus’ response. To fulfill all righteousness: in this gospel to fulfill usually refers to fulfillment of prophecy, and righteousness to moral conduct in conformity with God’s will. Here, however, as in Mt 5:6; 6:33, righteousness seems to mean the saving activity of God. To fulfill all righteousness is to submit to the plan of God for the salvation of the human race. This involves Jesus’ identification with sinners; hence the propriety of his accepting John’s baptism.

* [3:16] The Spirit…coming upon him: cf. Is 42:1.

* [3:17] This is my beloved Son: the Marcan address to Jesus (Mk 1:11) is changed into a proclamation. The Father’s voice speaks in terms that reflect Is 42:1; Ps 2:7; Gn 22:2. (Matthew, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Kathy Kemler comments that today’s sacred scripture seems like an invitation to be open to receive these words and engage with the Giver.

I have been invited through retreat and reflection days to imagine that God is saying this to me: “You are my beloved daughter with whom I am well pleased.” Admittedly, it is difficult for me to imagine this and reflect on “How am I pleasing to you, God?” Is it when I spend time exclusively with you? When I give you the first fruits of the day? When I am kind to your people? When I do my very best to be a good friend, a great Mom, and a loving wife? When am I a good steward of my gifts of time, treasure, and talent? When I do the corporal works of mercy? Or does it have nothing to do with my “doing.”? Do I please you because I am? Do I please you because I am a creation of Yours in Your image? (Kemler, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus came to be baptized by John”, by Chromatius (died 406 AD)

"John's baptism was looking toward repentance. Its purpose was to bring hearers to the point of experiencing conviction for their offenses. John, however, did not want anyone to draw the conclusion that Jesus himself also came to the Jordan to repent of his sins. So he sets this point straight from the outset by calling him both Lamb and Redeemer of all the sin that is in the world. He who is able to take away the sins of the whole world was himself without sin.

"Jesus therefore descended to fulfill all the observances of the law, and in this context he was baptized by John in Galilee at the Jordan. But John, recognizing the Lord as his God through the Holy Spirit, declared that he was unworthy to bear his sandals. He excused himself from doing what he was directed to do, because he could not conceive that baptism was necessary for the One whom he knew had come to blot out the sins of the world. He rather pleaded that he himself ought to be baptized by Christ, saying, 'It is I who should be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' It is as if he were saying, 'I am a man. You are God. I am a sinner because I am a man. You are sinless because you are God. Why do you want to be baptized by me? I do not refuse the respect you pay me, but I am ignorant of the mystery. I baptize sinners in repentance. But you have no taint of sin. So why do you want to be baptized? Why do you want to be baptized as a sinner, who came to forgive sins?' This is what John in effect was saying to the Lord." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 12:1)

[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 3:13-17 comments that John did not live long enough to witness Jesus’ death and resurrection. But if he had heard Jesus pray, “Father, forgive them,” from the cross, John would have witnessed firsthand the full significance of Jesus’ baptism. Jesus was baptized, not for his own sins, but for ours and those of the whole world.

Today, then, is a day to thank the Lord for your own Baptism. Through this great sacrament, you were joined to Jesus in his death and resurrection. You were freed from the burden of guilt that Jesus loaded on his own shoulders. You were cleansed of sin and made righteous. And just as the Father said to Jesus, so he says to you: “You are my beloved child” (see Matthew 3:17). May he forever be praised!

“Lord, thank you for the new life I received at my Baptism!” (Meditation on Matthew 3:13-17, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments  that the reading from Isaiah is the first of the Songs of the Suffering Servant described as being gentle and meek and bringing justice to all the world. The sages could not fit the suffering servant to heroes of Israel but Jesus uses the vocabulary to refer to Him. Cornelius, as a God fearer, was sympathetic to the Jews and Judaism. His household received the gift of the Spirit even as Gentiles. In Matthew’s Gospel account of the Baptism of Jesus, the Baptist claims to be unworthy but Jesus reassures him that all must be done. The dove, as the symbol of Love, between the Father and the Son connects to the Songs of the Suffering Servant. Friar Jude notes the whole Trinity is part of Christian Baptism, an invitation in the family of God.

Father Richard Rohr describes how the creation story found in the book of Genesis is good news. Our creation story declares that we were created in the very “image and likeness” of God, and out of generative love (Genesis 1:27, 9:6). This starts us out on an absolutely positive and hopeful foundation.

This creation story, which some modern scholars think was written down nearly five hundred years before Jesus lived, has no intention or ability to be a scientific account. It’s an inspired account of the source, meaning, and original goodness of creation. Thus, it is indeed “true.” Both Western rationalists and religious fundamentalists must stop confusing true with that which is literal, chronological, or visible to the narrow spectrum of the human eye. Many assume the Bible is an exact snapshot—as if caught on camera—of God’s involvement on Earth. But if God needed such literalism, God would have waited for the 19th century of the Common Era to start talking and revealing through “infallible” technology. [2]

Science often affirms what were for centuries the highly suspect intuitions of the Scriptures and mystics. We now take it for granted that everything in the universe is deeply connected and linked, even light itself, which interestingly is the first act of creation (Genesis 1:3). Objects—even galaxies!—throughout the entire known universe are in orbits and cycle around something else. There’s no such thing in the whole universe as autonomy. It doesn’t exist. That’s the illusion of the modern, individualistic West, which imagines the autonomous self to be the basic building block and the true Seer. [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We reflect on the Christmas Season today as we contemplate our anointing in Baptism to be priest, prophet, and leader in the community as heirs to Jesus ministry. 

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/10?34 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 42 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/42?1 

Kemler, K. (2026, January 11). Daily Reflection January 11, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 11, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-11-2026 

Matthew, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/3?13=#48003013 

Meditation on Matthew 3:13-17. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 11, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/11/1477950/ 

Psalms, PSALM 29 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/29?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Brilliant Start. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 11, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-brilliant-start/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Humbly Submitted to Baptism by John. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 11, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/