From the Friars: Fear No Evil

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is Good Shepherd Sunday when we read from Chapter 10 of St. John’s Gospel. This year we also pray the beloved Psalm 23 which begins: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…” Verse four reads as follows: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” This Psalm was written by King David who himself was a shepherd in his youth. He convinced King Saul to let him fight Goliath by explaining to him how he had killed lions and bears to protect his sheep. (1Sam 17)

Most images of the Good Shepherd are of a gentle Jesus with a cute little lamb in his arms or around His shoulders. These are edifying and certainly convey a truth about Our Lord. But in the spiritual life there are real dangers, just like there are real wolves, bears and lions that eat sheep. The rod and staff of the shepherd are to guide, to rescue and also to protect. They are weapons that the young David had used to defend his vulnerable sheep.

We are vulnerable to spiritual attack by enemies that are far stronger than us. “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1Pet 5:8) When I was struggling with addiction to alcohol during my younger years, I felt like I was overcome by a wild beast that was tearing me apart. I cried out for help to Jesus and His rod came crashing down on the lion’s head. If I would have stayed close to the Shepherd the enemy would not have gotten ahold of me. But hopefully we live and learn.

The physical and spiritual darkness and dangers of this world are very real. But King David reminds us that “the battle is the LORD’s.” (1 Sam 17:47) Let us keep and our eyes on the man with the rod and staff, and there will be no reason to fear.

Only in Him is there life in abundance.

Holy Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd, pray for us!

–Fr. Peter