Living our Easter faith

A telling story about St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is of a business executive witnessing her care for a dying man, whose body was filthy and stinking from disease.

He stated to Mother, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.”

She responded, “Nor would I!” She went on to explain this was not a job, but a personal religious response, not from earthly motives alone, but from heavenly ones.

Remember the Easter scene and Jesus. The disciples are huddled together in a locked room after the darkest days of Jesus’ passion, crucifixion and death. They all were fearful, confused, despairing and guilt-ridden for having abandoned Him. They were probably expecting even a little rebuke from Him, and instead He greets them with “Peace be with you.” How forgiving, loving and liberating and startling but the best example of the Good Shepherd.

Jesus says nothing about the bitter past, No chiding, no sarcastic comments, and no recriminations. He gives no reminders of how they were fair-weather friends. Like the Good Shepherd, he offers peace and says, in fact, “Let’s have a fresh start.”

Being thought of as a sheep does not demean us, but really rescues us from thinking too much of ourselves. Jesus calls us to humility and trust, and cautions us against those who work and live only for what they get. Jesus warns us to be careful not to let certain ideals, philosophies and people scatter us or snatch us away from our faith.

Jesus challenges us to listen for the voice of the Lord that can come from our hearts and consciences, and to let that voice lead us, even if we do not understand it. Jesus, in this example of the Good Shepherd, wants us to see that He is a caring, vigilant and protective guide and leader, and He is willing to lay down his life for us.

From the Old Testament Book of Isaiah 40, we have a beautiful statement on the type of shepherd that Jesus was, and encourages us to be for one another. “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock, in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, leading the ewes with care.”

We prayed in the psalm “The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.” So, now humbly, we need to live and do with heavenly motives imitating the Good Shepherd in word and action.

If you have taken yourself, your work or life too seriously, this is the right time to reflect on four simple words: “This too will pass.” These words, passed down from the ancients, will carry you through every adversity and give your life a balance and a chance to laugh at yourself, as you go crazy with human motives alone. Stop and laugh at your failures and realize they, like your successes, will vanish in clouds or new dreams; and laugh at success and realize they will shrink to their true value. Do not let yourself become so important, so wise, so dignified and so powerful that you forget to laugh at yourself and the world, and to realize “this too will pass.” however that is done, with heavenly motives.

Following Jesus the Good Shepherd will last for eternity, and you will join the saints in great laughter and joy.