Summary: Jesus declares Himself the good shepherd, contrasting with a mere hired worker who abandons the sheep at danger's approach. He emphasizes His deep, sacrificial commitment to His sheep, akin to His relationship with the Father. Jesus also mentions other sheep not of this fold, whom He must also lead, envisioning a unified flock. His sacrificial role is of His own volition, underscored by divine authority to lay down and reclaim His life, fulfilling His Father’s entrusted mission.
Gospel Acclamation: I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me. (John 10:14)
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.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father.”