'May the Lord Jesus Christ receive thee with a smiling and benign countenance.' Sunday Reflections, 4th Sunday of Easter, Year C

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The Good Shepherd

Early Italian Christian Sculptor [Web Gallery of Art]

WGA note on this sculpture: The allegorical figure of the Good Shepherd was originally based on the pagan representation of a man bringing his offering to the altar but, by the 3rd century, had also come to represent the 'ram bearer' with its connotations of philanthropy and loving care. The latter image accorded well with the Christians’ understanding of a divine Shepherd who would lay down his life for his flock. In a period of persecution, such images had the advantage of directly addressing the adherents of the Christian faith while not drawing attention to them, since the images were already popular with
non-Christians [emphasis added].

Readings, (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)

Readings, (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Gospel, John 10:27-39 (English Standard Version Anglicised: India)  

Jesus said:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”

Léachtaí i nGaeilge


Fr William Doyle SJ
1 March 1873 - 16 August 1917

This Sunday is known as 'Good Shepherd Sunday'. One great example of a Good Shepherd who I learned about in kindergarten more than 70 years ago is Fr Willie Doyle SJ. A great source about him is the website of the Father Willie Doyle Association, edited and maintained by Dr Patrick Kenny

Pat Kenny is also the compiler and editor of To Raise the Fallen, published by Veritas, where he writes on page 38: The precise details surrounding Fr Doyle's death are unclear. But at some time in the late afternoon of 16 August 1917, a group of soldiers led by 2nd Lieutenants Marlow and Green got into trouble beyond the front line, and Fr Doyle ran to assist them. It seems that Fr Doyle and the two officers were about to take shelter when they were hit by a German shell and killed. His body was never recovered.

Continue at Bangor to Bobbio.

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