THE LEADERSHIP OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER. YEAR A.
April 13, 2008.
(First reading: Acts 2:14, 36-41) (Psalm 23:1-6)
(Second reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25) (Gospel reading: John 10:1-10)


THE LEADERSHIP OF
THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

I. He is a true leader who possesses the following attributes:
- Possesses life within himself. The true leader must experience life in its fullness; that is to say, a life based on mutual respect, truth, justice and peace; a true leader must cherish life as a treasure that enriches not only himself but the entire human race.

- Makes a commitment to share his life with all other human beings. The force that moves a true leader is the desire to bring his life to all human beings. That motivation impels the leader to put his entire life on the line in order to bring life to his followers. The commitment of the true leader, therefore, becomes a commitment to the followers themselves, a commitment based on the identification of the leader with his followers.

- Leads his followers to life. A true leader, through his example, leads his followers to life and makes them the recipients of the fullness of life with all its goodness and joys. The life of the leader, becomes the life of his followers for the leader draws the followers to him and together arrive at the common goal of fullness of life.

The gospel today tells us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd (The true leader) who "came so that [we] might have life, and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Jesus is the "gate" (John 10:7) through which all human beings must enter if we are to bring his risen life to the world.

II. The leaders of our world fail to meet the requirements of true leadership:
- The leaders of our world display an alarming absence of life within themselves for there is no life in anyone whose only concern is his own betterment (or that of his group or that of his nation) at the expenses of other human beings. For instance: The leaders in the world of economics are concerned only with increasing their own profits; political leaders seem to be interested in expanding their domination.

- The leaders of the world only commit themselves to their self-interests, thus, building an insurmountable wall of separation between themselves and those whom they are supposed to lead.

- The leaders of the world seek inevitably the destruction of those who oppose them.

The gospel calls those worldly leaders thieves and robbers who come "only to steal and slaughter and destroy" (John 10:10); they are the ones who do "not enter through the gate" (John 10:1) but climb over elsewhere.

III. The Good Shepherd restores true leadership in the world.
The First Letter of Peter tells us that Jesus through his cross defeats the leaders of death. In other words, the injustice and suffering the worldly leaders inflicted on Jesus in the cross were brought to an end by his resurrection; for "He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin we might live for righteousness. By his wounds we have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24).

Peter also invites us to imitate Jesus' leadership: "Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps" (1 Peter 2:21), an example not only of sacrifice (the cross) but also an example of life (the resurrection).

Through the leadership of the Good Shepherd our world must be brought to fulness of life, of justice and peace for all human beings.