Why does Jesus call us sheep?

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Gospel: John 10: 11-18

Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Today’s Gospel passage is a continuation of the Good Shepherd discourse from yesterday. Jesus calls himself the, “Good Shepherd,” and we are his, “sheep.”

I find it interesting that out of all of the animals he could’ve chosen, Jesus chose to call us sheep. I would’ve preferred something like a lion cub – strong, full of potential for growth.

But he looks at me and says, “No, Kevin, you’re a sheep. You all are.” 

So, “Why, Lord?”

Because sheep are defenseless.

They have no venom, no claws, no fangs, no paws. No way of defending themselves when attacked. Even butterflies have wings! Snails have shells! Not sheep.

They only have their shepherd.

This is what the Lord reminds us of today. When faced with the trials and tribulations of this world – the greatest being death – we are defenseless.

We find our strength in two ways: by staying with the flock (together), and by remaining close to our shepherd.

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This is the message Our Lady spoke when she appeared to the three children in Fatima. “I am from heaven,” she told them. I will bring you closer to Jesus.

But they – and we – must do one thing: pray the rosary.

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Pause for a moment and call to mind your weaknesses, your fears, wherever you feel in need of a shepherd.

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We place these concerns in the hands of Our Lady as we pray: Hail Mary, full of grace, the LORD is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

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Image credits: (1) Restoration Believer, YouTube, 42:03 (2) Daily Theology