READINGS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C, SUNDAY 8TH MAY, 2022.
First Reading: Acts 13:14, 43-52
Psalm: 99
Second Reading: Apocalypse 7: 9, 14-17
Gospel: John 10:27-30
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM
LISTENING AND FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST, OUR GOOD SHEPHERD.
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are in the Easter season. Easter is not a one day celebration. Easter lasts for fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. We celebrate the Sundays of Easter with joy marking the Risen Lord’s victory over death.
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C. It is called Good Shepherd Sunday and it is also Vocation Sunday.
In the Gospel of John, chapter 10, our attention is drawn to Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. It offers deep theological insight for our reflection today as we pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.
Jesus confirms that He is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. He knows, leads, protects, loves and died for His sheep on the cross. He lays down His life for His sheep. A Good Shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects His sheep. (John 10:11-18)
St. John in his first letter tells us how the Lord expresses His love for us through His Son Jesus, the Good Shepherd, by making us His children and followers of Jesus Christ. (1 John 3:1-2)
St. Peter in the Acts of the Apostles explains to the Jews that there is no salvation except through Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. Peter told them that the apostles preach and heal in the name of Jesus our Good Shepherd whom they crucified. (Acts 4:8-12)
In the Gospel of St. John, Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me.” (John 10:14) “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me.” (John 10: 27-28) “I am the gate of the sheepfold.” (John 10: 7) “I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Jesus is true to his name. He knows us by our names and listens to us in our difficulties. He cares for us and leads us to the right paths. He gives us life in abundance.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. We are encouraged to listen and to follow Jesus Christ today. If we listen to him and follow where He leads, He promises us eternal life. We need the help that comes from Christ, from the wisdom found in His Word and from the grace which He bestows us in the Sacraments of His Church.
On this day of Prayer for Vocations, we are reminded that “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37) We are invited to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and the Consecrated Life so that we may have more holy and Spirit-filled shepherds to lead, feed, and protect our community and the entire Catholic Church.
As we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday today, Archbishop Dermot Farrell calls on us to pray for an increase in vocations to Priesthood and Religious Life. He said “At the heart of the Christian vocation is an invitation, the same invitation Jesus extended to the first disciples, to ‘come, follow me…”
The ability to listen to Jesus and follow Him demonstrates faith and sincerity of heart in not taking the Words of our Good Shepherd for granted. Paul and Barnabas chose to listen to the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and followed Him. (Acts13:14, 43-52)
Today as always, we are urged to become “good shepherds and good sheep, good leaders and good followers” so that God’s salvation may reach “the ends of the earth.” We pray for our young people who are called and inspired by the Spirit of God to serve in the Priesthood and Religious life that they may have the courage and generosity to respond to the call of Jesus.
May God help us to discover our true self to enable us experience the joy of listening and following the Risen Lord, the glorified Lamb and the Good Shepherd. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM