4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A

Acts 2:14.36-4   

Ps 23: 1-3A, 3B,4,5,6

1 Peter 2:20-25

John 10:1-10

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

The fourth Sunday of Easter is commonly known as the Good Shepherd Sunday. Thus, every year, the gospel reading of this Sunday is taken from Jesus’ discourse on the Good Shepherd (John 10). Again, on this Sunday, the Church invites us to pray for vocation, hence the name “Vocations Sunday.” 

In the first reading, Peter concludes his proclamation on the Pentecost day. He announces that God has made the Crucified Jesus, Messiah and Lord. His whole proclamation was a call to conversion addressed to the Jews first, for the promise belonged to them and to their children, and then “to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” And indeed, on that day those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added to the flock of Jesus.

The second reading identifies Jesus Christ with the Suffering Servant who bore our sins so that he might reconcile us to God, for we had gone astray like sheep. Through his death on the cross, he, the Shepherd and guardian of our souls, has brought us back to God. 

Consequently, Jesus Christ is the unique gateway to eternal salvation, as expressed in the gospel image of the shepherd and his sheep. By saying that he is the gate for the sheep, Jesus tells us that he is the Good Shepherd, the source of our safety and salvation. He knows us. He cares for us, leads us and gives us fullness of life. This way, he fits perfectly the description of the responsorial psalm which introduces the Lord as the Good Shepherd of Israel, who cares for his sheep and provides for their needs. 

In this perspective, two lessons may be drawn from today’s readings. First, we are all called to be part of the fold of Jesus. As such, we must listen to his voice and follow him. Second, each of us is called to be a good shepherd like Jesus himself. For everyone has been called to play a specific role in the Christian community and in the society, as priests, religious, catechists, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, government officials, caregivers, and so forth.  As such, we must care for those entrusted to us, lead them to Christ and not scare them away from him. May the Lord bless us so as to grow in our relationship with him, and grant us the grace to be good shepherds after his own heart. Amen 

Remain blessed and stay safe !!!