The 2nd Sunday of Easter is also known as "Good Shepherd Sunday" because the Gospel for this Sunday contains the words of Christ which say, "I am the Good Shepherd."
Our Lord made St. Peter a very special kind of shepherd when He asked him to "feed his lambs and sheep" in John 21:15-17.
But all the Apostles were shepherds, as Saint Augustine says, "Peter is undeniably a shepherd, but without doubt Paul is also is a shepherd. John is a shepherd, Andrew is a shepherd, each Apostle is a shepherd. All the holy bishops are shepherds, without a shadow of a doubt.”
Even while the original Apostles were still alive, the spread of the Church made it necessary that bishops be appointed to share in the missionary work of the Apostles. Our bishops are the successors of the Apostles, and they are called shepherds as well (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2).
The qualities of a good shepherd are spelled out by the Lord Himself, our true Good Shepherd :
1. He is willing to die for the sheep.
2. He tends his sheep and goes out to those who are outside the flock.
3. He defends his sheep from the enemy.
PRAY AND SACRIFICE FOR OUR BISHOPS
The Crosier or Bishop's Staff
Symbol of a Shepherd
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