Fourth Sunday of Easter Reflection
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FROM THE PULPIT“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life” John 10: 27. The images of the sheep and shepherd were excellent in the days of Jesus and today, among the pastoralist people. They explain a very close relationship that exists between the shepherd and the sheep. The shepherd is the guide, protector and provider to the sheep. While the sheep listen and follow the shepherd’s voice.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – YEAR C
SCRIPTURE: Acts 13: 14, 43-52; Psalm 100; Revelation 7: 9, 14b-17; John 10: 27-30.
REFLECTION: The Shepherd and the Sheep
Fr. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp.
For today’s city dwellers, it is offensive to be likened to a sheep. It is an offensive term that deliberately insults somebody's courage, self-assertion or leadership qualities. The Gospel does not have any intention of being offensive. The Gospel uses the imagery of sheep and shepherd to signify a relationship of mutual loyalty between Jesus and his disciples of all ages. For a shepherd could die for a sheep trying to defend it against its predators such as faxes, wolves, or lions.
Pope Francis likes using the expression, “Shepherd must know the smell of the sheep” meaning that the clergy of the Church are called to be closer and share the difficulties of the People of God entrusted to their spiritual care. Jesus’ earthly life showed an example of a good shepherd. He taught people about the Father, God. He nourished his followers with bread, fish and even wine. He cleaned those possessed of bad spirits; he healed the sick and raised the dead to life. He showed people the way to everlasting happiness and gave his disciples the Holy Spirit of God. He suffered and died for all the people of the world. He rose from the dead and reconciled all the people with God.
As a proof of the reconciliation, the Gentiles were delighted to be part of the Chosen People, destined to eternal life. Paul and Barnabas were empowered to proclaim the Word to both Jews and Gentiles. The vision of John began to be realized with the entry of the non-Jews to the faith in Jesus Christ. Today, the Church stands as a sample of the multitude from every nation, race, people and tongue of John’s vision.
On this Sunday, the mother Church calls us to meditate and pray for the various vocations or callings of our lives in their variety for the building of the Body of Christ. For God has a specific calling for each one of us. Through meditation and guidance we could discover our special purpose in life and follow it. At every mass, we conclude the intercessions with the prayer for vocations, let us be very thoughtful about what we ask God. That prayer reminds us that God has created us for a purpose that we ought to fulfill. The Beacons of Light have awakened us to the scarcity of ordained ministers in the Church; let us dedicate this day for prayer, so that God may choose among us men capable of leading us in the spirit of the Gospel.
