Gospel Reflection 2020/2021

Mr Robbi Sapinggi was an ordinary Sabahan, unknown to the world. Coming from a family of mountain guides, he himself was a guide for 10 years. Regularly, he would lead different groups of hikers ascending and descending Mount Kinabalu. During an earthquake in 2015, he injured himself when he pushed a member to safety when the rocks were falling. He died trying to save his group members. Even when Robbi was only a ‘hired man’, he did not flee when danger struck, neither did he abandon his ‘sheep’. He sacrificed himself that others may live.

If a hired human ‘shepherd’ (Robbi) can have such sacrificial love for ‘sheep’ not really his own, how infinitely more is the love of the True Divine Shepherd (Jesus) for sheep truly His own?

Jesus is our True Divine Shepherd. In the Gospel reading today:

1) Jesus declares, “I AM the Good Shepherd.”

In one of the parables [cf. Mt 18: 12-14], Jesus tells of a Shepherd who has a hundred sheep, and lost one. And He leaves the ninety-nine sheep on the mountain and goes all out in search for the strayed sheep. And when He finally finds the lost one, He is so overjoyed that He carries the lost-and-found sheep on His shoulder. Such is Jesus’ loving desire for you and me: even when we have gone astray time and again, He will not leave us to rot in sin; He will not give up on us.

2) “A Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.”

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez reminds us that, “Though our world is still darkened by loss and despair, Jesus’ death and resurrection confirm that His love for us is stronger than death.” We have nothing to fear for we have Jesus as our Good Shepherd – He will continue to protect us with all His love. Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord [Rm 8: 38-39]. Let us therefore, run not away from His loving hands, hide not from His merciful heart.

3) “I know My own and My own know Me… They listen to My voice.”

Once we were no people, now we are God’s people – we are the people who belong to His pasture, the flock that is led by His hand [Ps 94(95): 7]. Jesus desires us: He desires a personal, profound and intimate relationship with you and me. He desires us to know Him more dearly, listen to Him more attentively, love Him more intensely, and follow Him more closely. Let us (therefore) open our eyes, our ears and our heart for it is Christ the Lord, it is He! [Hymn: Canticle of the Gift]

As we acclaim Jesus as our Good Shepherd, let Psalm 22(23) be our fervent prayer:

“The Lord is my Shepherd;

there is nothing I shall want.

Fresh and green are the pastures

where He gives me repose.

Near restful waters He leads me,

to revive my drooping spirit.

He guides me along the right path;

He is true to His name.

If I should walk in the valley of darkness

no evil would I fear.

You are there with Your crook and Your staff;

with these You give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me

in the sight of my foes.

My head You anointed with oil;

my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me

all the days of my life.

In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell

for ever and ever. Amen.”