I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11).
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday and as we continue to celebrate the Feast of Easter, we contemplate the figure of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who has risen and who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died for his flock (Communion Antiphon Fourth Sunday of Easter, The Roman Missal). The Gospel reading of the Mass today emphasises the absolute freedom with which Our Lord brought about our redemption through His sacrificial death on the Cross. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. (Jn. 10:18). The sacrificial death of our Lord is an event that bears within itself a ‘logos’, a logic (Pope Benedict XVI); and, that this atoning sacrifice, because it was offered in complete freedom, is the source of reconciliation for all of humanity. As we endeavour to enter more fully into the power and significance of this mystery, today we will consider this truth in light of the reality of vicariousness; the reality upon which the entire mystery of Christ is founded. As the word itself indicates, vicariousness refers to an action performed or suffered by one person as a substitute for another or to the benefit or advantage of another.
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews explains: We do indeed see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the Angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering and death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone (Heb. 2:9). St. Paul further explains how this mystery is at work in us: For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Cor. 5:14-15). While this reality of vicariousness is at the heart of the Christian Mystery, it is no less evident in life itself. We share one another’s lives and in many ways, we share in and enjoy one another’s victories and achievements. In a most intimate manner this is true of authentic family life and friendship. The nature of these relationships is such that whatever we do is done also for the sake of others. Life is authentically human when it is relational. This is no less true of the supernatural life of grace; of the communion of grace that we share with the saints and especially with our Lady. When our lives are lived in a manner that is authentically Christian this reality manifest itself in a sacrificial life, a life sanctified by sacrifice.