Jesus the Good Shepherd: WAY, TRUTH and LIFE

by Rev. Sergio Arcila  |  05/05/2024  |  From the Clergy

Dear friends, we continue to celebrate Easter, the passage of the Lord through our lives and personal history. And it is a step that leaves a mark of love that marks our lives. The Lord of Life becomes for the Christian the WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE (Cf. John 14:6)

By stating that it is PATH, he shows us a new route to lead our lives, a path that becomes narrow and demanding, because it requires effort, perseverance. It is the PATH of renunciation of everything that dehumanizes us, makes us indifferent and unsupportive. It is the PATH of justice, equality and fraternity. But we can also say about the Lord that he is our TRUTH, in the face of a world and society where lies reach everyone. A TRUTH that gives freedom and security. A TRUTH that unmasks all forms of hypocrisy and falsehood. And what can we say about Jesus as the source of LIFE from God. A new way of seeing and understanding a LIFE with meaning and depth. A LIFE marked by the goods of heaven, transcendence.

For the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the gospel reminded us of the Good Shepherd passage: “Jesus said:
"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. 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. ” (Cf. John 10)

By declaring Himself as “Good Shepherd” Jesus is indicating to us that He must be for every believer: Way, truth and life. He wants the best for everyone, he becomes close and brotherly, he opens paths and clarifies doubts, he offers peace and tranquility in moments of anguish and fear. He defends the weak and battered man. And in the presence of the wolf/evil, he goes out and defends the smallest and most fragile.

Finally, this wonderful Shepherd knows us, and knows our miseries and frailties. Allow this Beautiful Shepherd continue to be your, PATH, TRUTH and LIFE.

Many blessings.