Reflection - 4th Sunday Easter - Sheep Making Informed Decisions

Sheep Making Informed Decisions 

Acts 4:8-12; Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29; 1 John 3:1-2; Gospel: John 10:11-18

From today’s readings we learn that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and Jesus is the Cornerstone. The parable of the Good Shepherd and the reading from Acts are put together for a reason. The overall message is that Jesus will not abandon us and he will not be moved.

In these readings, let’s look at us. People don’t know the Shepherd’s voice or they’ve rejected the cornerstone.  It’s because we tend to be like sheep.

Sheep live a flock mentality - for protection, for comfort, and for blending-in. Sheep don’t want to stand out in a crowd. Most of us don’t want to either.

Temptation can make sheep wander. A lead sheep will see greener grass to eat, a hillside to explore, or the promising pleasure of a shady spot. The lead sheep follows this temptation and the flock follows for protection, comfort, and blending-in.

That’s why the shepherd is important. He is the cornerstone of the flock. It’s built around him. He keeps them together, on the right path, in the right pasture, and in his protection. Sheep know the shepherd by his voice and presence. They want the comfort of the shepherd’s protection; but, they still wander away and can become lost.

We’re sheep for the same reason. Temptation catches an eye of someone influential and we follow. The temptation of greener grass, new things to explore, or something pleasurable leads them astray and it becomes the popular trend.  Temptation pulls us from the shepherd and all he offers. When temptation pulls us from the cornerstone; we are lost.

There are three sources of temptation: the world, the flesh, and the devil. But, we don’t recognize temptation. We’re not sheep. We are intelligent educated beings. We make mature informed decisions, like: 

• We don’t believe all the Church tells us; we decide what we believe.
•  All Churches are the same.
•  It’s not really the body of Christ.
• I want a church that doesn’t offend me.
•  I don’t get anything from Church; I want to be entertained.
•  Why believe the bible, it just stories. 
• My life style isn’t hurting anyone. 
• It’s my body; I’ll do what I please.
• It’s a fetus, a lump of cells, it’s not a baby.
• They’re not like us - they’re old - they’re poor- they’re not relevant

Adam and Eve made an informed decision. Pontius Pilate made an informed decision. Hitler and the Nazi’s made informed decision. Terrorist make informed decisions to kill and persecute Christians, enslave and rape the innocent. The devil is informing the sheep.  

In the desert, Satan tempted Jesus with an informed decision. He informed Jesus about the world, the flesh, and with lies in temptation. Satan informed Jesus of his authority in the world; but, Jesus had the strength to resist temptations.

We don’t have the strength of Jesus. We’re just sheep that hear the empty promises of the world, see the desires of the flesh, and the lies and information of the devil. We go astray.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd and cornerstone. He gave his life for all of our salvation, so that we know him.  No matter how lost, how tempted, or how much we have strayed; deep inside, we still know his voice. We still know he is our salvation.  We just need to be the lead sheep and follow him.