General. This Sunday reminds us of the figure of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. Before the Christians introduced the figure of Jesus Crucified and the Cross as a singular symbol of Christianity, there had been a long period when early Christians held for a symbol of their faith the figure of Jesus carrying the fragile lamb over his shoulders which he kept warm with the heat of his neck. This figure was carved out or drawn on the walls of the catacombs where the early Christians took refuge, and so this Sunday reminds us who Christ really is for us.

Acts of the Apostles. Peter announces the Kerygma, the tidings of salvation putting Jesus and his mission in the centre of history for the sake of sinful humanity. By virtue of their having crucified him, the Father has made him Lord and Anointed One (Christ) over all creatures and he now stands interceding for us on the right hand of the Father. Baptism in the name of Christ would bestow the on each Christian the gift of the Holy Spirit for the remission of his sins.

First Epistle of St Peter. St Peter expounds the teleology behind Christ’s passion and death. It was aimed towards salvation and if Jesus had to suffer without uttering a word of protest, why should not the Christian also act in the same manner, "putting on Christ" in the words of St Paul, and let justice be done by the Son of God who alone is Just and Holy? His wounds have healed us and made us, lost sheep, return to our Shepherd.

St John. The Gospel states in simple clear terms that Jesus is the only way to God, the one true Shepherd who seeks the well-being of his flock. While on earth Jesus had a mission to accomplish, to give life, and abundant life for that matter, to sinful humanity. So is it the baptized person’s duty for himself and mission towards others in living his Christian life: to live in grace and to help others to live in inner peace, drawing them near to the Shepherd and letting Christ live in him. "It is not me who now lives, but Christ lives in me" – St Paul.

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