Another Thought on the Good Shepherd

The Misericordias Domini Gospel is closely tied to its Epistle, wherein St. Peter declares your return to "the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." We recall Peter's impetuous eagerness to follow Jesus, yet while turning away from his word. This ended in disaster for him. But when properly humbled, he hears the resurrected Jesus stand before him and instruct him to feed his sheep. So we note from today's Epistle that Peter now understands that his own shepherding, his own authority, is only the authority of the Gospel: by preaching Christ, he is participating in Jesus' own shepherding of his sheep. The sermon.