May 11th, Regina Caeli (04-26-2015): She has her life and gives it for love

Pope Francis

Sunday April 26, 2015

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

The fourth Sunday of Easter - this one - called "Good Shepherd Sunday", each year invites us to rediscover, with ever new amazement, this definition that Jesus gave of himself, rereading it in the light of his passion, death and resurrection. "The good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep" (Jn 10, 11): these words were fully realized when Christ, freely obeying the will of the Father, sacrificed himself on the Cross. Then it becomes completely clear what it means that He is “the good Shepherd”: he gives his life, he offered his life in sacrifice for all of us: for you, for you, for you, for me, for all! And that is why he is the good Shepherd!

Christ is the true Shepherd, who realizes the highest model of love for the flock: He has freely of his own life, no one takes it from him (cf. v. 18), but rather dona in favor of the sheep (v. 17). In open opposition to the false shepherds, Jesus presents himself as the true and only Shepherd of the people: the bad shepherd thinks of himself and exploits the sheep; The good shepherd thinks of the sheep and gives of himself. Unlike the mercenary, Christ the Shepherd is an attentive guide who participates in the life of his flock, he seeks no other interest, he has no other ambition than to guide, feed and protect his sheep. And all this at the highest price, that of the sacrifice of his own life.

In the figure of Jesus, good Shepherd, we contemplate the Providence of God, his paternal concern for each one of us. He doesn't leave us alone! The consequence of this contemplation of Jesus, true and good Shepherd, is the exclamation of moved amazement that we find in the second Reading of today's liturgy: "See what love the Father has had for us..." (1 Jn 3, 1). It is truly a surprising and mysterious love, because by giving us Jesus as the Shepherd who gives his life for us, the Father has given us the greatest and most precious thing he could give us. It is the highest and purest love, because it is not motivated by any need, it is not conditioned by any calculation, it is not attracted by any interested desire for exchange. Faced with this love of God, we experience immense joy and open ourselves to recognition for what we have freely received.

But contemplating and thanking is not enough. You also have to follow to the good Shepherd. In particular, those who have the mission of guidance in the Church - priests, bishops, Popes - are called to assume not the mentality of the manager but that of servant, in imitation of Jesus who, emptying himself, has saved us with his mercy.