How can I be the voice of Christ our Good Shepherd that raises the hope of those under my care? Shepherd in Biblical Hebrew has its root in the act "to feed" or "to pasture". In an agricultural setting, the shepherd leads the sheep and uses his voice to guide them. The flock recognises their shepherd's voice through repeated exposure and closeness. A good shepherd is able to form a bond of trust with his flock, which will obediently follow him wherever he goes, leading them to green pastures and places of safety.

Jesus introduces Himself as the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd not only knows every one of His sheep, but loves them unconditionally, even to lay down His life for them. He defends them against all harm and danger. We are like sheep who cannot survive on our own in the wilderness without the Shepherd's guide and guard. Without Jesus- the Good Shepherd, we will be wandering aimlessly without vision.

The missionary journeys of St Paul and Barnabas were led and guided by the same spirit of Christ Jesus. They speak in the voice of the Good Shepherd and many Gentiles of goodwill believe the Good News. In the end, as the Book of Revelation envisions, the sheep that remain faithful to the Good Shepherd will win the glory of eternal life with God. We ought to resonate with the psalmist's claims: We are His people, the sheep of His flock.