Jesus declares Himself as the Good Shepherd in the Gospel.  The image of the shepherd and the sheep is analogous to the close relationship between Jesus and the Father. The knowledge between Jesus and His sheep has an implication of a deep sense of intimacy and love between the Creator and His creatures. Because of this deep intimacy and love, the shepherds knew every sheep of their flock by name, and the sheep their shepherd’s voice.  Jesus too knows us like these shepherds. He knows everything about us. He loves us as we are and He calls us to follow Him all throughout our lives. In truth we aren’t called once but many times. To be a Good Shepherd is to be one that is noble and ideal, dying for the sheep in whichever state of life we are in. It is also to live for the other giving life through any means necessary. May the life of the Good Shepherd then inspire us to give of ourselves to be of service to Him and others.