The Good Shepherd

The first glorious mystery encapsulates a wealth of resurrection scenes which shows Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He knew that His followers were still weak in many ways, lacking in courage and also humility, as they were just arguing about who was the greatest among them. They misread His mission. Judas even wanted to force the issue that the Messiah would usher forth a political leader who would liberate his people from Rome.

Nevertheless, despite the shortcomings of His flock, He trudged on with His mission. He prayed while His disciples nearby slept. He was tortured but never said a word of disgust or hatred against humanity. Crucified, the culmination of His mission, He saved a thief and forgave the people responsible for His plight.

In the evening of the third day, He appeared and opened His mouth with the greeting of a peaceful man, “Shalom.” He wishes the well-being of His flock. He is a God of chances. He always gives us chances even after we fall. He never abandons His flock. He gave us a chance to continue what He has been doing. He wants us to become co-workers of redemption. He tasked His disciples to forgive sins, and when on the road to Emmaus with the two disciples, He asked them to remember Him in the breaking of the bread. He tasked Peter to care for His flock. He told Mary Magdalene that He is going back to His Father and to her Father. Thus, signaling that we are now children of the Father. Mission accomplished! Heaven and earth reconciled by His act of sacrifice, an act of love. Later on, He sends the Holy Spirit. Even today, He waits for us in the tabernacles of the world. The Good Shepherd never really left us. When we go astray, the Blessed Mother, the Mother of the Church, will always lead us to her Son, the Good Shepherd.