Editorial
The Peerless Shepherd
A good shepherd is one who
tends his sheep with no fear or anxiety. Only the one who knows the way
to lead can be a good shepherd. The shepherd described in Ps.23 is one
who has earned the confidence of all the sheep, the Lord on whom they depend
totally. The Psalmist who is offering a paean of praise, to an incomparable
shepherd is presenting the image par excellence that the flock cherish
about their shepherd - a shepherd who provides rest in green pastures,
guides them to cool waters, refreshes them. As this shepherd is with them
the sheep know no fear.
The sheep rely totally,
unconditionally on this shepherd who is their refuge. To be in his fold
is to have no anxiety whatever about their lives.
To the Hebrew people , whose
traditional occupation was tending sheep, the relationship between the
shepherd and sheep was something that struck deep roots in their daily
living, and had become part of their emotional life. That was why Jesus
announced the inauguration of the kingdom of God and of total liberation
with the words, "I am the door of the sheep". He emphasizes that the one
who enters the sheepfold by means other than the door, is a thief and a
bandit (cf Jn 10:2). The true shepherd is one who knows his sheep, calls
them by name. They recognize his voice. But the thief and the bandit do
not enter by the door. They creep in by crooked ways, scatter the sheep
,rob them and kill them. The flock who go astray without following the
shepherd, fall headlong into the pit , when they follow those who guide
them along the path of evil and destruction and enter by the back door.
The sheep who go astray are those in whom self-confidence has turned into
arrogance. Those who cannot recognise the paternal affection and care of
the good shepherd cannot enter his fold.
We should be able to listen
to the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd in our daily life and follow along
the path by which he leads. Rushing to retreat centres is not sufficient.
One's daily life must be enriched. Listening to the word of God is not
enough. Life must be guided by the word. All those who go out of the Kingdom
are those who reject the Saviour, step on his chest, and walk away. "No
one enters the door but by me." There is no salvation except through Jesus.
Jesus Christ came into this world that all may be saved. " There is salvation
in no one else , for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals
by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Jesus Christ is the only
door to the kingdom of God. No one can enjoy the bliss of this kingdom
except by going through Christ who stands at the entrance. " I have come
down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me"
(Jn 6:38). God says, "I am the Lord ,the God of all flesh; is anything
too hard for me ?" ( Jer 32 - 27). These verses prove that only through
Jesus is there universal salvation. Once a girl coming from abroad for
a retreat at Divine Retreat Centre, said: "I did not believe in any religion
or adore any god. After five days spent in this holy place, listening to
the word of God and to the life-testimony of numerous people , I witnessed
the wonders and signs worked in the name of Jesus. I go back with my mind
filled with joy and peace. Jesus Christ is the God who is still alive."
When such an experience of salvation happens in the life of every man,
it will be the coming of the kingdom of God. Then all men will enter the
eternal tabernacle of the Kingdom of God by the door which is Jesus Christ.
In this Kingdom there is no lamentation or weariness.
-Editor