Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B: Vocation/Good Shepherd Sunday – April 25, 2021.
Readings: Acts 4:8-12; Ps 117:1,8-9,21-23,26,28-29; 1 John 3:1-2 & Gospel – John 10:11-18.
Theme: Being True Shepherds!
Sunday Synopsis
In the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4:8-12), we are told that filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter dared the rulers and elders by stating that it is only in the name of Christ that we can be saved. St. John tells us in the second reading (1 John 3:1-2) that when what we are to be in the future is revealed, we shall be like him. Jesus challenges contemporary leaders to be like “The Good Shepherd” who lays down his life for his sheep. As priests, religious and lay faithful, we are charged to see our various vocations as a call to holiness even as we pray for more vocations, and missionaries.
Introduction
Friends in Christ, today the Church celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday otherwise known as Vocation Sunday. We shall reflect on the theme: “Being True Shepherds.” This reflection shall highlight the impact of the name of “Christ” and the role of ministers of the Word and Sacraments as true shepherds of souls. It shall call all to embrace holiness given the fact that everyone is a shepherd in his or her capacity.
Summary of the Readings
In the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4:8-12), we are told that filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter dared the rulers and elders of the people by stating how they (Apostles) healed a crippled man in the name of Christ. He reiterated: “For all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.”
St. John tells us in the second reading (1 John 3:1-2) when what we are to be in the future is revealed, we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is. The sacred text also reminds us about the love the Father lavished upon us “by letting us be called God’s children.” He further maintained that “that is what we are.”
The gospel text (John 10:11-18) brings out the theme of Vocation/Good Shepherd Sunday. Therein, Jesus challenges contemporary leaders to be like “The Good Shepherd.” He goes ahead to disclose that unlike the hired man who deserts the sheep in the face of danger, the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. He stresses: “I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” And surmises that the command given to him by the father is that of love which is why he freely lays down his life for his sheep.
Practical Lessons
1. Reflect the Image of the Good Shepherd: Today, Pastors of souls are charged to remember that leadership in the Church must reflect the image of the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:1-18).
2. Handle the Church with Care: Church handlers (Priests) are reminded to be true shepherds by managing themselves, the structures and the resources of the Church and society entrusted to them, well.
3. Mentor the Young: Priests and Religious have the mandate to mentor the young ones by becoming life couches who would be role models for the young.
4. Embrace the Vocation to the Married Life: The lay faithful are urged to recall their baptismal commitments in the light of embracing the vocation to the married life which is a catalyst for vocations to the priestly and religious life.
5. Take to Parental Responsibility: Parents are charged to fulfill the demands of Vocation/Good Shepherd Sunday by nurturing their children in the faith and urging them to embrace the priestly and religious life.
6. Embrace the Priesthood/Religious Life: Children are tasked to look up to Jesus the Good Shepherd who loves and cares for them while sharing their motivation and interest to join the service of the Lord with their friends, parents/guardians and pastors.
7. Pray for missionaries: We are called to pray for missionaries who have sacrificed material comfort, marital and family life to embrace the life of holiness through the evangelical counsels so that they may not grow cold in their witnessing while remembering those whose witnessing has been rocked by scandal and those who have left active ministry or are suffering from guilt and shame so that God may restore his anointing in them.
Summary Lines
1. In the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4:8-12), we are told that filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter dared the rulers and elders by stating that it is only in the name of Christ that we can be saved.
2. St. John tells us in the second reading (1 John 3:1-2) that when what we are to be in the future is revealed, we shall be like him.
3. The sacred text also reminds us about the love the Father lavished upon us “by letting us be called God’s children.”
4. Jesus challenges contemporary leaders to be like “The Good Shepherd” who lays down his life for his sheep.
5. As priests, religious and lay faithful, we are charged to see our various vocations as a call to holiness even as we pray for more vocations, and missionaries.
Conclusion
We pray for an increase in vocations to the priestly and religious life that God may raise men and women with genuine intentions who would lead the Church to green pastures. Since it is our collective responsibility to grow the Church pastorally and structurally, we are challenged to support the Church financially by choosing to sponsor a seminarian, brother or sister. We are equally reminded that “the Good Shepherd” knows each one of us by name that is why we are called “God’s children.” Our liturgy reveals that nothing is impossible with God because there is something in his name which surpasses all we can ever think of or imagine. Happy Vocation/Good Shepherd Sunday!
