Fourth Sunday of Easter
[Good Shepherd Sunday/Vocation Sunday] April 21, 2024
Acts 4:8-12; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11-18
On April 23, 2015, the former Chief Minister of Kerala, Southern India, Umman Chandy, a practicing Christian, attended a People's Grievance Redressal public meeting. More than 9,000 individuals gathered, seeking resolutions to their issues. Chandy worked tirelessly from 9:00 am until 2:30 am the following day, personally addressing each concern and calling the relevant department officials on the spot. During the meeting, a power outage occurred, leading to the use of a generator that quickly ran out of diesel. Consequently, a table fan was connected to the sole UPS intended for the computer. In solidarity with the attendees, Chandy stated, "If my people have to endure this heat, so can I. Turn it off!"
Pope Francis says that pastors should smell like the sheep.
This happens when they: a. Know the sheep, b. Call them by name: Jesus calls:
Mary in Grief and loss; Thomas in doubt (don't be an unbeliever), Peter in
betrayal (Do you love me more than ...?); Saul the persecutor (Why are you
persecuting me?); Zacchaeus, Simon, Philip and many more, c. Lay down their
life for the sheep – wolf / enemies/persecution, d. when they become shepherds
of the sheep: leadership today is not limited to priests. It is also extended
to parents, teachers, cops, politicians, executives understand their wards’
problems, try to solve them, bring remedial measures.
Today's scripture illustrates the transformative power of the Risen Lord, as seen in Peter, who eloquently challenges the establishment. Addressing the elders, scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees, Peter, a simple fisherman, stands before formidable opponents. Yet, he and the apostles exhibit remarkable courage. "If we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, be it known to all of you that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, this man is standing before you well." Peter resists claiming credit for the miracle, having learned that self-reliance leads to failure, whereas trust in the Lord is unfailing. Peter shifts focus from the healing itself to its deeper implication: the power of Jesus Christ's gospel.
Jesus uses the imagery of the shepherd from the ordinary
usage of life and calls himself the Good Shepherd. During the time of Jesus the
shepherd of the Middle East had close intimate relationship with a smaller
flock. The Shepherd was in charge of
them and would lead them out to pasture daily while spending all his time with
them. He took personal care of them and
Jesus says that he had a deep sense of commitment and responsibility towards
his own sheep. He was concerned about
the sheep and hence they had the attraction towards him. Every good shepherd
knew every one of his sheep by name and he was aware that his sheep also knew
him. This showed the intimate knowledge of the shepherd.
First and foremost, the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd reminds us of his unwavering commitment to care for his sheep. In a world marked by uncertainty and turmoil, Jesus stands as a beacon of love and protection, guiding us through the darkest valleys and leading us to green pastures of hope and renewal. His voice calls out to each of us individually, tenderly leading us along the path of righteousness.
But being part of Jesus' flock is not merely a passive
experience; it requires active participation on our part. Just as sheep must
listen for the voice of their shepherd and follow his lead, so too must we open
our hearts to the guidance of Christ and respond to his call with obedience and
trust. This means being attentive to his voice in the midst of the noise and
distractions of the world, and being willing to follow him even when the path
is difficult or uncertain.
Moreover, the image of the Good Shepherd challenges us to
consider our own role within the flock. Just as Jesus lays down his life for
his sheep, so too are we called to emulate his sacrificial love in our
relationships with one another. This means being willing to put the needs of
others before our own, to offer support and encouragement to those who are
struggling, and to seek reconciliation and forgiveness in our interactions with
one another.
Furthermore, Good Shepherd Sunday serves as a touching
reminder of the unity and diversity within the body of Christ. Jesus himself
speaks of "other sheep that are not of this fold" (John 10:16),
emphasizing his desire to gather all people into one flock under his loving
care. As members of the Christian community, we are called to embrace this
diversity and work towards unity, recognizing that we are all beloved children
of God, regardless of our differences.
Finally, Good Shepherd Sunday challenges us to consider our
responsibilities as stewards of God's creation. The image of the shepherd
caring for his flock evokes a sense of reverence and respect for the natural
world, reminding us of our call to be good stewards of the earth and all its
inhabitants. This means caring for the environment, advocating for justice and
equality, and working towards a world where all God's creatures can flourish.
Good Shepherd Sunday invites us to reflect on the profound
mystery of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and what it means to be part of his
flock. It calls us to listen attentively for his voice, to respond with
obedience and trust, and to embody his love and compassion in our interactions
with one another. May we embrace the call of the Good Shepherd with open hearts
and willing spirits, confident in his promise to lead us to abundant life now
and for all eternity.
This Sunday, also the Vocation Sunday we are asked to pray for
many and good vocations to continue the work of the Shepherd. The church
insists that vocations are a responsibility of the Christian family. To foster
vocations, the family must foster the Christian life. The family must live its
faith in Christ on a daily basis in unity and prayer.
Happy Sunday
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