Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine)

“I am the good shepherd”. Christ has every right to say: “I am”. For him nothing is either past or future; for him everything is in the present. This is what he says of himself in the book of Revelation: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning an the end, the one who is, who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev 1,8). And in Exodus: “I am who am. This is what you shall tell the Israelites: ‘I am sent me to you’ (Ex 3,14). “I am the good shepherd”. The word “shepherd” comes from the word “to pasture”. Christ pastures us each day on his body and blood in the sacrament of the altar. Jesse, David’s father, said to Samuel: “My youngest son is pasturing the sheep” (1Sam 16,11). Our very own David, lowly and humble like a good shepherd, pastures his sheep too… We also read in Isaiah: “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock, in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom and leading the ewes with care” (Is 40,11)… And indeed, when the good shepherd leads his flock out to pasture, or when he brings them back, gathers together all the little lambs that are unable as yet to walk; he takes them in his arms, carries them in his bosom. He carries the mother ewes as well: those about to give birth or have just been delivered. So too does Jesus Christ: he feeds us every day on the Gospel teachings and sacraments of the Church. He gathers us in those arms that he stretched out on the cross “to gather into one the scattered children of God” (Jn 11,52). He has drawn us into the bosom of his mercies as a mother draws her child.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team

Jesus has said: “I am the good shepherd.” It is clear that the title “shepherd” is applicable to Christ. For just as shepherds pasture their flocks so Christ revives the faithful with spiritual food, his own Body and Blood. To distinguish himself from the bad shepherd and thief Jesus specifies that he is the “good shepherd”. Good, because he defends his flock with the devotion of a good soldier for his country. On the other hand, Christ has said that the shepherd goes in by the door and that he himself is that door. So when he here calls himself the shepherd we have to understand that it is he who goes in through himself. And this is indeed true since he makes it clear that he knows the Father through himself whereas we have to go in through him, and it is he who gives us blessedness. Let us take good note that no one else but he is the door for no one else is light except by participation. John the Baptist “was not the light, but he came to bear witness to the light” (Jn 1,18). It was Christ himself who “was the light that enlightens everyone” (v.9). Therefore no one can call himself the door since Christ has kept this title for himself. However, he has handed on the title of shepherd to others and has granted it to some of his members. Indeed, Peter was one, too, and the other apostles, as well as all bishops. Jeremiah says: “I will give you shepherds according to my own heart” (3,15). And although the leaders of the Church – who are their descendents – are all shepherds, Christ says: “I am the good shepherd” to show us the unique force of his love. No shepherd is good who is not united through love with Christ, thus becoming a member of the true shepherd.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team

Abel, the first shepherd, was pleasing to the Lord, who willingly accepted his sacrifice and looked with even more favor on the giver as on the gift he made (Gn 4:4). Scripture also draws attention to Jacob, the shepherd of Laban’s flocks, noting the care he took for his sheep: “How often the scorching heat ravaged me by day, and the frost by night!” (Gn 31:40); and God rewarded this man for his labor. Moses, too, was a shepherd on the mountains of Midian, preferring to be ill-treated with God’s people than to know rejoicing [in the palace of Pharaoh]. And God, pleased at his choice, as a reward allowed him to see him (Ex 3:2). After this vision Moses did not abandon his shepherd’s office but with his staff commanded the elements (Ex 14:16) and pastured the people of Israel. David was also a shepherd but his shepherd’s staff was changed to a royal sceptre and he received a crown. Now, do not be astonished if all these shepherds were close to God. The Lord himself was not ashamed to be called “shepherd” (Pss 23[22]; 80[79]). God was no more ashamed of pasturing men than he was of having created them. But let us now consider our own shepherd, Christ. Let us see his love for humanity and his gentleness in leading them to pasture. He takes pleasure in the sheep who surround him just as he searches for those who stray. Hills or forests are no obstacle to him; he runs down into the valley of shadow (Ps 23[22):4) to reach the place where the lost sheep is to be found (…) He is seen in hell; he gives the command to come out; thus he seeks for the love of his sheep. Someone who loves Christ is someone who listens to his voice.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team

Let us consider Christ, our shepherd (…). He rejoices in those sheep of his that are around him and goes in search of those that stray. Mountains and forests cause him no fear; he crosses ravines to reach the sheep that is lost. Even if he finds it in a piteous state, he is not angry but touched with pity; he takes it on his shoulders and, from his own weariness, heals the exhausted sheep (Lk 15:4 f.) (…) With good reason Christ declares: “I am the Good Shepherd, I seek out the lost sheep, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal (Ez 34:16). I have seen the flock of mankind struck down by sickness; I have witnessed my lambs wander about where demons dwell; I have seen my flock ravaged by wolves. All this I have seen and have not witnessed it from on high. That is why I took hold of the withered hand, gripped by pain as if by a wolf; I have unbound those whom fever had bound; I taught him to see whose eyes had been shut from his mother’s womb; I brought Lazarus out from the tomb where he had lain for four days (Mk 3:5; 1:31; Jn 9; 11). For I am the Good Shepherd and the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” (…) The prophet knew this shepherd when, long before his Passion, he declared what would take place: “Like a sheep led to the slaughter or a sheep, dumb before the shearers, he opened not his mouth” (Is 53:7). Like a sheep, the shepherd has offered his neck for his flock (…). By his death, he heals from death; by his tomb he empties the tomb (…). The tombs are full and the prison shut so long as the shepherd, come down from the cross, has not come to bring his captive sheep the joyful news of their liberation. We see him in hell where he gives the order for their release (1 Pt 3:19); we see him call his sheep once more, giving them the call to life from the dwellings of the dead. “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” This is how he intends to win the affection of his sheep, and those who know how to listen to his voice love Christ.
Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team

O Jesus, Good Shepherd, a shepherd who is truly good, shepherd full of lovingkindness and gentleness, the cry of a poor and wretched shepherd rises up to you: a weak and clumsy shepherd, an unprofitable shepherd (cf. Lk 17:10) and yet, in spite of all, a shepherd of your flock. Yes, Good Shepherd, the cry of this shepherd who is far from being good rises up to you. He cries to you, uneasy for himself, uneasy for your flock… You know my heart, Lord, you know my wish is to spend entirely for those you have entrusted to me all you have given to your servant …, and more than anything, to spend myself for them without counting the cost (2Cor 12:15)… Even you yourself did not disdain to spend yourself for them. Therefore teach me, Lord, even me your servant, teach me through your Holy Spirit how to expend myself for them… By your inexpressible grace grant me, Lord, to bear their weaknesses with patience, to sympathize with kindness, to help them with discretion. May your Spirit’s instruction teach me to console the afflicted, strengthen the fearful, raise up those who fall, to be weak with the weak, to share the shame of those who stumble, to make myself all things to all to gain them all (2Cor 11:29; 1Cor 9:19.22). Put true words on my lips, words that are upright and just so that they may grow in faith, hope and love, in chastity and humility, in patience and obedience, fervor of spirit and purity of heart. Since it is you who have given them this blind guide (Mt 15:14), this ignorant teacher, this incapable leader, teach him whom you have installed as their professor, guide the one you have commanded to guide others. –
Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team