VISUAL THEOLOGY

The Good Shepherd, From Christian Roman sarcophagus (c. AD 250), Marble (0.920 m. x 2.160 m. x 1.050m) Département des Antiquités grecques, étrusques et romaines, Musée du Louvre, Paris ■ On 5th October 2011 the Psalm was the subject of Pope Benedict`s XVI catechesis: «The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want": thus begins this beautiful prayer, calling to mind the nomadic environment of sheep-rearing and the experience of a mutual knowledge that is established between the shepherd and the sheep that make up his little flock. The image evokes an atmosphere of confidence, intimacy and tenderness: the shepherd knows his young sheep one by one; he calls them by name and they follow him, because they know him and they trust him (cf. John 10:2-4). He cares for them; he guards them as precious possessions, ready to defend them, to assure their well-being, and to establish them in peace. Nothing can be lacking if the shepherd is with them. The psalmist makes reference to this experience, by calling God his shepherd and by allowing himself to be guided by Him towards safe pastures».