Cycle A - Year I:

30 April 2023: Fourth Sunday of Easter 

(Liturgical Color: White)

Readings:

First Reading:        Acts 2:14, 36-41

Second Reading:   1 Peter 2:20-25

Gospel:  Please Read  John 10:1-10 

The Good Shepherd vs. a Good Leader.....

The fourth Sunday of Easter in the Church liturgy celebrates the Good Shepherd Sunday. Psalm 23 proclaims: "The Lord is my Shepherd there is nothing I shall want!"    

Jesus uses rich images from daily life to illustrate the depth of His desired relationship with us. Shepherding was the main occupation of people in His time. Hence, the imagery of a "Good Shepherd" relates to the practical realities of people at that time.

Shepherding is alien to us and we may not be able to grasp the deeper realities of what our Lord Jesus is teaching.  I am tempted to use the analogy of a "good leader" to reflect on today's Gospel message: "Good Shepherd" vs "Good Leader". But the latter doesn't capture the deeper meaning of the Gospel message. Because the "Good Shepherd" doesn't only lead and care for the sheep but lay down His life for the sheep (Jn 10:15). And when one of the sheep goes astray, the Good Shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one that is lost. (Mt 18:12, and Lk 15:4) In contrast, a "good leader" may lead and inspire, but hardly that he is prepared to lay down his life for the flock, or search for the one that is lost. So then, let us reflect on the unique qualities of the "Good Shepherd".

In a general sense, "good shepherd" is an image that implies someone who gives a caring, compassionate leadership. In today's Gospel, He is the Gate and through Him all the sheep enter inside the sheepfold. When the Gatekeeper leads them out for pasture, the Good Shepherd walks in front of the sheep and the sheep follow freely; they are not driven or coerced to follow Him. Because the relationship between the Shepherd and His sheep is one of mutual recognition of the Shepherd's voice. Those who stay with the Shepherd are safe and not lost, and at the end of the day the Shepherd brings all His sheep back into the shelter.

What can shepherding teach us about God and our relationship with Him?

The Scriptures describe God as a shepherd who brings security and peace to His people. Just as the shepherd keeps watch over his sheep and protects them from danger, so does Jesus stand watch over His people as the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls.

As the Divine Shepherd, our Lord Jesus perfectly manifested His sacrificial love for us, willing to go all the way for His sheep. He sacrificed everything for our salvation and did not allow suffering, persecution, rejection and the like to prevent Him from caring and loving us in a total and complete way.

Let us reflect how well we must follow and imitate the Good Shepherd. When we feel inadequate, let Jesus shepherd us so that we may shepherd others as well.  Let us run to our Good Shepherd and trust in His perfect love for us, poor sinners.

The second point in our reflection is to heed seriously the words of our Lord Jesus about Him as the only Gate for His sheep. Only if we enter through this Gate that we can have life and have it abundantly. For Jesus is our Gate Keeper and Divine Shepherd. Our Lord sticks with us no matter what happens. He is committed to caring for us and leading us. Jesus searches and finds us when we are lost and afraid. And He will keep looking for us until He finds us.

The Church celebrates today World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Let us pray to the Good Shepherd that more generous souls of our youth answer the call to follow in the example of our Divine Shepherd.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, let us hear Your voice, so that we may open the gate of our hearts to You. Draw us to the pathways of life. May others see us, and our examples, as a safe gateway leading to abundant life in You, our Good Shepherd. Amen.

A blessed Good Shepherd Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!