Traditionally, the fourth Sunday of Easter is given over to a consideration of Jesus’ role as Good Shepherd and we, as his loyal and beloved sheep. The theme of Jesus as Good Shepherd is rich in meaning and may be treated in many ways.
To be a good shepherd or to be a good leader of the flock is a challenge. We have a lot of leaders, and we all know that but there seems to be a scarcity when the word “good” is attached to it. Obviously, the only model that we can think of when it comes to good leadership is the leadership that was introduced by Jesus by being the good shepherd, a servant leader to His people.
Nowadays, this fine leadership has become a rare find and a real pearl. We have leaders, but we do not know where they are leading us. They are self-proclaimed leaders, but they do not even know the people whom they are leading. They just do not have the heart to know them because they are so detached from the kind of life that these people are living. How can they be aware of their needs when these leaders need nothing else but money and power? Their idea of leadership is far from the kind of leadership that Jesus had shown us through His example.
We have a lot of dangerous leaders in our midst. It is unthinkable that these leaders have their own equally dangerous followers. Just look at the case of the appointed son of god who is still in hiding and eluding arrest for his crimes and abuses. But even if his wicked personality is known worldwide, still, there are people adoring him like he is god. It is a pity because it shows that there are still a lot of crazy people in our land.
To be a good leader means having a good heart which is capable of loving, not the position and the benefits that it entails, but loving the people whom they had promised to serve. A good leader must have the courage to turn away from worldly enticements and learn how to live with the people and understand their sentiments and situations. A good leader must be ready to serve his flock even if it is time for him or her to rest. He must be ready to forget himself and always remember that he has an obligation to fulfill.
Our present leaders are now enjoying their life as “honorable” men and women because of our votes. We were the ones who gave them power to govern us and rule this forsaken country which we dearly love. It was allowed by God so we will learn our lesson in a hard way. We lament and regret our decision and we are helpless for as long as they are in power. But do we understand and learn the lesson that we must keep? I am sure that when election time comes again, many people will advertise their votes with a pricetag on it, the price of their souls. So, there is no change and our wanting to improve our lives will always remain to be a dream that will never come true. It is our perennial way of throwing our pearls to the dogs, and we have done this repeatedly.
The Good Shepherd is challenging us to be leaders in our own little ways. Positions and titles are insignificant in the brand of service that the Good Shepherd is telling us to do, and as part of his flock, we must obey. We can be leaders in our own families and in the community to where we belong by showing through our life and example how to serve others in the name of love. Loving the people entrusted to our care and serving them selflessly is a mark of a good leader.