Good Shepherd

 The conjunction of Good Shepherd Sunday and Mother's Day helps us to notice how we are formed in our life. The two celebrations are interconnected as they seek to nurture our life by being present to who we are. The image of the Good Shepherd that stays with me comes from the Camino in Spain. Here the shepherd has the right to lead their sheep to Good Pasture. One image that remains powerfully with me is a woman sitting in her field with five sheep. In many cases, the shepherd remains in the midst of the sheep when they are out to pasture with their guardian dog who protects the sheep. So at the heart of the Gospel is this image is the pastor who remains with his people.

In a similar way, our mothers seek to guide, nurture and protect the interests of their children. Not only to see that they are provided all that they need for growth to adulthood but that they develop a healthy outlook on life. This closeness helps us to know that their life has an important part in helping us to become who we are called to be. It is appropriate that we spend time remembering the importance of those who have helped us to grow into the person we become.

The image of Mary as a mother is linked also to her as the first disciple. In this, we see that it is her close connection to Jesus which draws her into a deeper appreciation of who she is called to become. Thus she discovers that her life is more than just what she does but what she is called to ponder. In this, we start to see her as Jesus sees her. This is a person who does not just occupy an important role in salvation history but a person who is called to enter into a deeper relationship with a God who sustains her. 

At Pentecost, we see Mary as being present at the heart of the gathering of the disciples. This image is often portrayed in a mandorla which centres on how she brings the early Church to birth. This nurtures this image of being both mother and disciple who guides, nurtures, and protects the need of the early Church. She seeks to help us ponder how God is at the heart of all our relationships. In this way, we discover a God who both pastures and nurtures us with life. We discover both the maternal and paternal aspects of God who sustains us with life and calls us to wholeness.