From Our Pastor - 04-22
What informs each of the readings including the psalm response is conflict.
Today’s Gospel about the good shepherd is in part a response to the Pharisees who had just thrown out the man born blind who was cured by Jesus. The man tried to argue that Jesus could not be a sinner even though he healed on the Sabbath but one who was listened to by God; and, we know God doesn’t listen to sinners. What was the result? They were highly offended because he was trying to teach them. So they threw him out. Jesus compares them to hired men whose only concern for the flock was as a source of income. In contrast, Jesus is the good shepherd who knows the flock and lays down his life for them.