Such a Shepherd!

How blessed are we to have such a shepherd as Jesus describes in today's Gospel:  one who knows his sheep, loves them and will search and find them when they are lost.  One who lays down his life for them and desires even that those who do not at the moment belong to his fold will one day be part of the one flock. It is fitting that in our post-Easter reflections the Good Shepherd is presented to us, for he explains the reason why he suffered, died and rose from the dead:  it was the "command from the Father" that he lay down us life for us, take it up again and us with him. (cf, Jn 10:18). This should give us reassurance, confidence and a greater reason to come to know and love Jesus ("and mine know me") (Jn 10: 14). 
Usually, this passage is applied to our "Shepherds", our priests and bishops, and certainly there is a lot of food for thought for them to examine how they relate to us, how they know us and care for us.  They may find gaps that need to be filled, and we need to pray for them that they be true to their calling.  But the examination can also be applied to us as parents, as teachers, friends of youth...how do we shepherd?  How well do we know "our sheep"?  Are we willing to search, find, and bring them back into the fold?  To lay down our lives for them? As followers, disciples of Jesus, it would seem that the image of the Good Shepherd should apply to us as well as it does to him.
Bro. Rene