Gospel in Art: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me

The Good Shepherd, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Italy, 425AD © Alamy / Christian Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 11 May 2025
John 10:27-30

At that time: Jesus said, 'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.'

Reflection on the 5th Century Mosaics

Today we are reflecting on a stunning mosaic from around 425 AD, positioned above the entrance to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy. This masterpiece depicts Christ as the Good Shepherd, perfectly echoing the theme of today's Gospel. Christ is shown as a youthful, beardless figure, serene and approachable, watching over His flock in a calm, pastoral setting. He wears robes of vibrant gold and purple, colours traditionally associated with imperial authority and royalty, subtly affirming His divine kingship. Christ gently twists His body to comfort a sheep close to Him, embodying His care and attentiveness to each individual soul. The shepherd's staff is rendered as a golden cross, a clear symbol of His victory over death. On the left, we see four streams flowing from rocky hills, a reference to the rivers of Paradise mentioned in Genesis 2:10-14 (Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates), reminding us that Christ, the Good Shepherd, leads His flock towards the waters of eternal life.

The mosaics of Ravenna hold a place of immense importance in the history of Christian art. Created during a time when Christianity was transitioning from a persecuted faith to the religion of empire, these mosaics represent some of the earliest and finest examples of Byzantine art in the West. They mark a shift from the naturalism of Roman art to a more symbolic, spiritual style that sought to express theological truths through rich colours, shimmering gold backgrounds, and highly stylised figures. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, where our illustration is taken from, is particularly renowned for its exquisite mosaics that blend classical artistic traditions with emerging Christian iconography. These mosaics were designed to inspire contemplation, drawing the viewer into the mystery of salvation through visual splendour.

In today's Gospel, Jesus says, 'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me'. Yet, this is precisely where we often struggle. We are easily distracted, caught up in the noise of daily life, and not always attentive to the voice of the Shepherd. True listening is an act of the heart and mind; it requires silence, patience, and perseverance. We are invited to return again and again to the Gospels, to read, to reflect, and to allow God's Word to penetrate deeply into our lives, so we can hear God's voice more clearly. Like the mosaic, which reveals greater beauty the longer one gazes upon it, so too does Christ's voice become clearer when we give Him the time and space to speak. Little by little, through prayer and reflection, we begin to recognise His voice... leading us, guiding us, and reassuring us that we are never alone under the care of the Good Shepherd.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-10-27-30-2025/(with audio)