On this 4th Sunday of Easter, we focus on Jesus as Shepherd. Sheep need the care of the shepherd, they are not very bright animals. The one thing that a sheep excel at though, is knowing the voice of the shepherd. A sheep can distinguish the voice of the shepherd from other voices, and will not follow other voices. 

Jesus speaks of us as sheep. Obviously we are smarter than sheep, we are rational educated people, with a rational mind and soul. There is one area where we are not as smart as sheep. We do not listen only to the Shepherd’s voice. We often listen to the voice of the robbers and thieves. Voices that can harm us, or steal us away from God for all eternity. 

And this is what makes Jesus the Good shepherd. 

He is not just a shepherd taking care of sheep that need care, He is taking care of us who need care in more ways than sheep. We need care to not follow the voices of the thieves and robbers. Yet, unlike sheep, we have a free will. God does not want to force himself on us, He does not want to force a relationship on us. 

He cannot force a love relationship or any relationship with Him on us, because if He did we would be mere animals, or even worst, like robots, unable to think for ourselves. 

And so as a good shepherd, Jesus leads us with His voice for us to follow. He also says that He is the gate to enter the sheepfold. Jesus is a shepherd and a gate. 

First - How is he a shepherd? We have that answer in the 23rd Psalm, the psalm response for today, and a very popular and well-known psalm. Let's look at the phrases. 

The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He is our shepherd when we truly allow him to take care of our needs. This is the Divine Mercy Image, Jesus I trust in You, to not worry but be confident that Jesus will truly walk with us in all things and take care of us if we allow Him. It does not mean life will be easy, it will be hard at times and painful, but in our own will we can give up, or focus on the problem, or get wrapped up in the bad, and not have hope. If we allow Jesus to take care of us, He will and we will always have hope. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, Leading the sheep to green pastures and water to drink is a sign of the abundance of goodness and comfort. Jesus will give us an abundance of goodness and comfort us if we trust in Him as a shepherd. 

He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. This abundance of goodness will restore our soul. Make us feel refreshed. It will make us feel that refreshed feeling of excitement as something exciting in our life. For his names sake means that His reputation depends on taking care of us. 

If we trust in Him and He does not take care of us, then His name is not what it is meant to be. He guides us by His voice out of temptations and wrongs.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 Sometimes the flock has to go through rough areas on the way to graze. The shepherd is there to lead and protect them. The dark valley is the area between the hills and small mountains, although the sun might not have yet set, it became dark earlier there due to the hills blocking the sun and making it perfect for wolves and thieves, but to have no fear because the shepherd will use his staff to beat off the wolf. Our Good shepherd will fight off the devil, demons, and help us stay clear of the things of this world that lead us in danger.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Often enemies would hide when others had picnics hoping to attack while they were absorbed in eating and having fun. The devil comes after us often during times of pleasure and tempts us deeply, or attacks when we think all is calm like a picnic. Jesus prepares a table for us in this middle of this, the Table of the Eucharist. He feeds us with Himself while the temptations, and all the things we listen to, are speaking to us to harm us. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. After the table is set, he anoints us, which was a custom of visiting someone, welcoming someone, bestowing a blessing of love on them. When we share in His table, He welcomes us into His fold more deeply, then gives us an abundance of love, blessings, goodness overflowing. 

Surely goodness and (Mercy)love will follow me all the days of my life, Trust in God’s love and care and protection, enjoy his table and stay focused on his banquet, then God's blessing will be on us every day, will follow us all days of life.

 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever (for years to come). There was no word for eternity so David used for years to come.

How is Jesus the Gate? He is the entrance to Heaven. The only way to the Father is through Him. We can only get into the eternal sheepfold through the gate of Jesus Christ. We can only arrive at the gate to the eternal sheepfold by following the shepherd Jesus Christ. 

Allow the good shepherd to lead you in every move, every thought, and every word, so at the end of life, He will be the gate opening up for us to enter the sheepfold of heaven forever.