Year A
Ezekiel 34:1-11
Psalm 23:1-3a.3b-4.5.6 (R.1)
Matthew 20:1-16a
God our Shepherd
Looking at what the psalmist is saying, this Shepherd must be possessing everything, for what the psalmist wants the Shepherd gives. This Shepherd must know or possess places or lands with fresh green pastures and restful water because he leads his sheep there. Interestingly he does not revive only the body but the soul of his Sheep.
This Shepherd knows the right path and in fact lead his Sheep to that path because of his name. The Sheep is assured that because the Shepherd is with him or her always he or she will not fear any evil. The Shepherd will comfort him or her with his crook and staff.
In fact the Shepherd grants the Sheep courage to even eat with his or her foes. The Shepherd also anoints his Sheep's head with oil and fill the sheep's cup till it overflows. Because of the sheep acclaims that Goodness and mercy will follow him or her all his or her lifelong and he or she will dwell everlasting in the house of this Shepherd.
From all these descriptions, it is clear that the Shepherd is God and the Sheep are humans. But why is God our Shepherd? This imagery points to something about God; just as a Shepherd is greater than his Sheep, God is greater than us. But also just as a Shepherd cares, loves, knows and protect his Sheep, God does more than that. But Ezekiel gives us another reason why God is or wants to be our Shepherd, the Shepherd he chose are not doing what they are supposed to do.
So the Psalmist reminds us that the source of all things is God, hence everything belongs to him and so whatever we want he will give us so we shall not want. Let's reflect on few interesting points.
Were the Shepherd gives his Sheep rest is a rich land. But the imagery of restful waters draws our attention to creation and when the Spirit of God Overshadowing the waters calmed it (cf. Genesis 1:2). Things get more interesting with the psalmist talking about the Shepherd reviving his or her soul, in other versions we see that the Shepherd lead the Sheep to restful waters to restore his spirit. Then which water can restore the spirit of humans if not that which Jesus told the woman at the well he will give her and she will thirst no more (cf.John 4:14ff). This water is the Holy Spirit who has been poured into our hearts (cf. Romans 5:5). The imagery here stresses on Baptism.
Now for the benefit of God's name, he guides his Sheep to saving justice. The meaning of Jesus is God saves, and Jesus as the word of God is the Lamp to our feet and light to our path (cf. Psalm 119:105). In the prophecy about him, the name was Emmanuel which means God is with us (cf. Isaiah 7:14). So the psalmist continues that even when he or she is in danger on in the valley of the shadow of death, because God is with him or her, he or she doesn't fear.
The statement of the crook and staff giving comfort draws us also to Jesus Christ and the Cross. The Cross is actually what makes the love of the Shepherd to his Sheep's physical and gives them consolation. The Sheep head is anointed with oil. But Christ is the anointed one, and anyone who is Baptized into Christ is also anointed and given opportunity to partake in his Kingly, prophetic and priestly Ministry, the person is called a Christian.
The Gospel shows us the generosity of God, but also it informs us that while we are all called to work for God the reward will be given to us base on the generous judgment of God. Let's avail ourselves to be saved by God.
By
Sylvester Amakye-Quayson
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