Jesus the Good Shepherd

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on May 04, 2021

Jesus the Good Shepherd

“Thus says the Lord God: Ah, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep”.

In these words, Ezekiel 34 expresses God’s indictment on the Old Testament leaders. Ezekiel prophesied that God would come as the true shepherd of God’s people; “I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out…. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered…… I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, I will make them lie down. I will seek the lost and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak…”

In today’s Gospel (John 10:11-18) we see Jesus as the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophesy. Twice Jesus declared, “I am the good shepherd”. 

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the divine Son of God, sent to gather God’s people, to protect us and lead us to eternal life with the Father.

He is the good shepherd because he is totally invested in the ministry of saving God’s flock, even when salvation demands self-sacrifice, mercy and forgiveness. Jesus suffered and died willingly for the sake of all God’s people. He rose victoriously and extended mercy, forgiveness and new life, beginning with fear-filled disciples.

The Good Shepherd is also concerned for those not yet in the fold. He yearns for all people to be “one flock” with “one shepherd”.

This Gospel is truly comforting and uplifting! We can rest in the assurance of God’s loving care and the promise of new life in Him. We can approach the Shepherd with our joys, our pain, our weariness, or our journey “through the darkest valley”.

Our response as sheep, is to listen to His voice, trust Him and obediently follow his leading. We are called also, to be shepherds, attracting others into the fold. 

“Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.”

Tags: good shepherd

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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