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The image of the shepherd is one of the most significant in the Bible. It expresses love, compassion but above all protection. David understood this idea when he sang in his prayer: "The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack." (Psalm 23) The shepherd is God himself who, through his divine providence, provides comfort and protection to his people.

However, it is important to note that God's selection of men in politics and religion to guide Israel is not arbitrary. He chose Moses, a general strategist, to become a shepherd for 40 years, not by chance, but to develop the virtues necessary to lead the flock (Israel) (Cf. Exodus 3,1; Acts 7,30). Similarly, he chose young David, a humble shepherd, to be the greatest of the Kings of his time. (2 Samuel 7, 8; 1 Chronicles 17, 7-8)

God also chose men to instruct and guide his chosen one towards the path of holiness and truth. Prophets, like priests, are shepherds. Amos was a shepherd and cultivated sycamore trees. but God made him the messenger to correct the errors due to the rejection of the Law of God. (Amos 7,12-15) Later, in the New Testament, Jesus inherited the ministry of the shepherd that the Father carried out in the Old Testament. His heart moves with pity as he sees the crowd like a flock without a shepherd. (Mark) He heals, consoles, raises, feeds and saves as a good shepherd would have done for his sheep. He is the Good Shepherd who knows the flock. To his voice the sheep obey. (John 10, 11-14)

After him, the Apostles, like the bishops and the priests, took on the pastoral responsibility of the flock. To them he entrusted the Church, the Flock which he saved with his blood. “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, * in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood.” (The Acts of the Apostles 20,28) Peter added: “Tend the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you but be examples to the fock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5,2-4)

If there is a reward for faithful shepherds, the prophet reminds us that there will be punishment for those who neglect the flock: "You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds." (Jeremiah 23, 2) Today, more than ever, the Church needs shepherds who are in the image of the Supreme Shepherd, Jesus Christ. But we must ask for it in prayer because God has promised it: “I will raise up shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear or be terrifed; shall none be missing—oracle of the LORD." (Jeremiah 23,4)