THE GOOD SHEPHERD

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

John 10:  11-18

 

          As we know Jesus often spoke in parables, as he does in this Sunday’s gospel, in order to communicate his message in a way that people could easily understand.  He chose subjects from their everyday, common experiences, as he does so, here, with the Good Shepherd. 

          While we, centuries later, still understand the analogy between God’s love and a good shepherd, the fact of the matter is that the subject – a shepherd – is something outdated for us.  When was the last time you met a shepherd?

          This leads me to ponder what subject Jesus might choose if he walked among us here and now, in our time.  With no shepherds here on Long Island what would he find that would resonate with us and communicate in a very real way the profound love that God has for each of us?

         I stayed with this for a long while, and, eventually an image began to appear inwardly.  An image we have become all too familiar with.  The image of a nurse.  An overworked, tired nurse in a crowded, noisy hospital, standing by a bed which was surrounded with machines from which tubes and wires sprung.  A nurse, physically and emotionally exhausted, garbed in a gown, gloves, mask and face shield.  Taking the time in all that turmoil to stand still and speak softly while holding a cell phone so that the dying patient could spend his or her last moments with family on that small screen.  Or simply holding the patient’s hand so that the patient would not be alone in his or her final moments.  The nurse, shepherding this stranger to the next life.

          These nurses do not do this for mere pay.  These nurses do not do this because they are ordered to.  There is something inside each and every one of them that loves the patient, though the patient may be a stranger.  Something that tells them that though there may be 99 other patients that need their professional care, there is nothing more important at this moment than to go to THIS patient.  To make sure that THIS patient will not be lost. Will not be alone.

          The Good Nurse.  A parable for our time.

 

“Call Me Ishmael”