The liturgy for this Fourth Sunday of Easter reminds us of three fundamental things: Jesus, rejected by official Judaism, is the head of all, the cornerstone (first reading); because Jesus has been exalted by the Father, all who believe in Jesus are guaranteed divine affiliation. Through Jesus and his work, we have been rescued and gifted with the dignity of being children of God (second reading); the work of Jesus, as understood by believers, is fundamentally a work a shepherding, but not like the work of a hired shepherd, but rather a shepherd who is willing to give his life for his sheep (gospel reading).

When we speak of "official Judaism", we refer to those religious-political groups who throughout the years had clothed themselves with the authority to interpret the scriptures and to decide what was or was not the will of God. Guides and shepherds came forth from these official circles, and yet these were the very same people who were ultimately responsible for the people "losing their way", for at the hour of the hour these shepherds failed to respond in an affirmative way to the needs of the fold.

People, and today our communities, need guides who will continually search for and become more deeply rooted in the message of the Word. They need pastors who will attempt discover the will of God in the events and happenings of daily living. When these individuals, however, allow their own interests to become the criteria by which they interpret and approve or disapprove certain activities, then very soon they begin to impose on others their own will as God's will. Even worse, they begin to impose their own will on God himself.

This is precisely the situation that Peter addressed when he spoke to the people of Israel. The builders, who should have had sufficient knowledge to obtain the best results in their construction, cast aside the cornerstone. Nevertheless, this cornerstone that was rejected by them, God has made the primary and indispensable stone for the building. The wise men of Israel did not want to understand, or perhaps they were incapable of understanding the fact that Jesus was bringing about the fulfillment of the Scriptures. They used every means to make the fulfillment of God's promises agree with their own interests and criteria and added value to these promises by accepting them as the final opportunity of the Father. In light of this implicit danger that resided in these "representatives of God", Jesus defined himself as the one, true Shepherd. He is the only one who through all the experiences of his life is able to attain perfect harmony with the will of God. This harmony, however, would cause Jesus many difficulties. And yet it is only by this perfect harmony with the will of God that Jesus is able to guarantee that perfect affiliation of his sisters and brothers, of all men and women with his God. Therefore those who listen to Jesus are able to notice the difference between the guides and shepherds that Israel has had throughout its history. The background for this image of the shepherd is found in the Old Testament. Those who called themselves shepherds, in reality became the savages in the flock. Look at Jeremiah 22:1-5 and read this passage in conjunction with today's Gospel. With the words of Yahweh, the prophet denounces the carelessness and irresponsibility of those shepherds who instead of keeping the sheep together, scatter them; instead of defending them, slaughters them; instead of pasturing them, devour them - yes they are shepherds incapable of giving their lives for the flock. In light of this prophecy, it becomes easier to understand Jesus' words. In verse 4, God promises that he would send shepherds who would change the lot of the flock and this is exactly what Jesus does in a definitive way.

Another element that should be highlighted here is Jesus' conviction that people have to expand their vision. Jesus talks about "other sheep that do not belong to this fold." This is another clear indication of the intimate union between Jesus and the Father. The sheep of Israel are not the only ones who will cared for by the Good Shepherd. All other people, all men and women have been "chosen" and have become the object of the Creator's love and concern. Jesus gives his life for them. No one can take Jesus' life from him, for he himself lays it down for the benefit of all.

Jesus' option to give his life for his friends is the model of care and concern for all those responsible for the pastoral service of the people of God. As shepherds, they ought to be intimately related with the sheep of their fold and equally concerned and ready to offer themselves to the other sheep that are outside the fold.

Jesus' words and his radical commitment to all the sheep, including those that are outside the fold, should empower us to revise and initiate a serious ecumenical process. A much different process than the one we have carried on up to the present - a process in which the shepherds no longer wait for the "other sheep" to come into the fold, but rather move out and walk among these "other sheep" and through the witness of their words and actions give new meaning to the radical and committed style of the Good Shepherd! The hired hand never acts in this way!

What is my attitude in attempting to interpret the will of God? Do I want God's will to conform to my interests or the interests of my group?

As a guide in the community, is my primary interest that of the group?

What are my attitudes as a pastor? Do I conduct myself like the hired hand who is not concerned about the sheep? Do I know my sheep and do my sheep know me?

Mediate on the texts listed under the word "shepherd" in the alphabetical index of the Jerusalem Bible. Note how the title of "Shepherd" in the Old Testament is later applied to Jesus in the New Testament.

- On this feast of the Good Shepherd, we pray for all those who within the Church and society have responsibility for leading and guiding people, we pray to the Lord;

- For all parents, that guided by the light of the Word, they might build up a new human family, we pray to the Lord;

- For all educators, that through their generosity and service they might see their profession as a way to build a new society, we pray to the Lord;

- For all lay ministers, that they might know the joy and responsibility of modeling their ministry on that of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we pray to the Lord;

Loving and merciful God, grant us, your people, the firm conviction to live under the care of the one and true Shepherd. May we acknowledge the fact that all men and women are your chosen and beloved children. May we feel ourselves as belonging to the one fold of the one Shepherd. May we work together so that this unity might be expressed in loving dialogue with all religions. We raise our voices in prayer in the name of Jesus, our older brother, and your son. AMEN.