Commentary on the Gospel of
The sheepfold in the Palestinian settings of Jesus’ times were enclosures surrounded by stone walls on which were placed bundles of thorns. Brambles are allowed to grow on it to prevent sheep from exiting and thieves from entering. The enclosure could be in front of a house, built outdoors, or on the slope of a mountain. In the latter case it was typically used by most shepherds who bring their sheep at night; one of them would be awake while others slept.
Armed with a stick, he was positioned at the entrance of the fold—that had no door. He squatted and, in that position, blocking the access to the sheep-fold, he himself became “the door.” Typically he dozed off, but his presence was enough to deter the raiders from approaching the fold and to prevent the wolves from getting into the enclosure. The sheep could be approached only by whomever he allowed to pass. In the later part of today’s gospel Jesus says, he is “the Gate.”
In the morning, when every shepherd stood at the door, the sheep would immediately recognize his step and voice and followed him. From this experience of his people’s life, Jesus sets this parable.
The true shepherd knows his sheep by name, and calls them “one by one.” For Jesus anonymous masses do not exist. He takes interest in each of his disciples. He pays attention to the gifts, strengths, and weaknesses of each. “He carries the lambs in his bosom, gently leading those that are with young” (Is 40:11). He understands their difficulties, helps and respects them.
In contrast to this shepherd, the thieves and bandits appear. Who are they? They could be the religious and political leaders who were posing as attentive guides of the people’s welfare but in reality, they were seeking domination, personal prestige, exploitation: their methods were violence and lies. They steal, kill and destroy. Three verbs summarize the work of death.
Today’s Gospel has an insistence on the “voice of the shepherd” that is “heard”, “recognized”, and immediately distinguished from that of the strangers’. After the resurrection, the disciples could not recognize Jesus when they saw him face to face, but they recognized him for his voice.
The eyes of the disciples will be misled: He will be taken as a wayfarer, a ghost, a fisherman; but who heard him could not be mistaken. His voice was unmistakable.
Today this voice continues to resound, crisp, and alive in the word of the gospel. It is the only one that sounds familiar to the disciple.
Who is “taught by the Spirit” is able to discern the voice of the shepherd. Let us be attentive to that voice that ensures us green pastures, abundance of water, and protection from the impostors.
