Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 11, 2025
(Good Shepherd Sunday/Vocation Sunday)
Acts 13:14, 43-52; Revelation 7:9, 14b-17; John 10:27-30
One of the most beautiful descriptions of God given by Jesus is contained in today's gospel reading where he proclaims: "I am the good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." Jesus was the visible sign of God's constant care for his people.
Now, when we think of sheep, maybe we think they aren't the smartest animals. They can wander off easily, get lost, and need a lot of guidance. And in some ways, we are like that too, aren't we? Life can be confusing. There are so many choices to make, so many distractions, so many paths we could take. It's easy to feel lost or unsure of where we should be going. But the wonderful thing about Jesus as the Good Shepherd is that he doesn't leave us to wander alone. He knows us. He knows our name. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows the desires of our hearts, even the ones we haven't fully understood ourselves. And he calls to us.
How does Jesus call us? It's not always in a booming voice from the sky. Sometimes it's in the quiet whispers of our conscience. Sometimes it's through the people he places in our lives – family, friends, teachers, mentors. Sometimes it's through the stirrings in our heart, the things that bring us joy and a sense of purpose. Sometimes it's through the challenges we face, the times when we have to trust in something bigger than ourselves.
The key is to listen. Just as the sheep listen for the shepherd's voice, we need to learn to listen for Jesus' voice. This takes time and practice. It means setting aside quiet moments for prayer, for reading the Bible, for simply being still and open to God's presence. It means paying attention to the nudges and promptings we feel deep down.
When we hear Jesus' voice, he calls us to follow him. Following Jesus doesn't mean our lives will be easy and perfect. The path of the shepherd can sometimes lead through difficult terrain. There will be challenges and struggles. But following Jesus means we are never alone on the journey. He is with us, guiding us, protecting us, and leading us to safety and fullness of life.
This brings us to the other name for today: Vocation Sunday. The word "vocation" comes from the Latin word "vocare," which means "to call." A vocation is a call from God. It's not just about becoming a priest or a nun, although those are very important vocations. Every single person has a vocation, a unique call from God to live a life of meaning and purpose.
Our vocation is how God wants us to use the gifts and talents he has given us to serve him and serve others. It's how we are meant to contribute to the world and build up God's kingdom.
So, what is your vocation? This is a question we should all be asking ourselves. It's not about finding the perfect job or having a lot of money. It's about finding the path that God has laid out for you, the path that will bring you the most joy and fulfillment, and the path that will allow you to make a positive difference in the world.
For some people, their vocation might be in their family life – being a loving spouse, a devoted parent, a supportive sibling. For others, it might be in their work – using their skills and talents to help others, to create something beautiful, to make a difference in their community. For some, it might be in serving the Church – volunteering, teaching, leading. For others, it might be in a life of dedicated service to the poor and marginalized. And yes, for some, it might be in the call to priesthood or religious life, a special way of serving God and the Church.
Finding our vocation isn't always a one-time event. It's often a journey of discovery. It involves prayer, reflection, seeking guidance from wise people, and being open to where God is leading us. It's about paying attention to the things that make our hearts sing, the things that we are good at, and the needs of the world around us.
Sometimes we might feel pressure to have our whole life figured out, to know exactly what we are supposed to do. But it's okay to be in the process of discerning your vocation. God is patient. He will guide you.
Think about the sheep following the shepherd. They don't always know exactly where they are going, but they trust the shepherd to lead them to green pastures and still waters. We too can trust that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, will lead us on the path of our vocation.
So, on this Vocation Sunday, let's reflect on these things:
First, let's remember that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He knows us, he loves us, and he calls us to follow him. Let's make time to listen for his voice in our lives.
Second, let's remember that each of us has a unique vocation, a special call from God. Let's pray for guidance and wisdom as we seek to understand and live out our vocation.
Third, let's be open to the different ways God might be calling us. Maybe it's a call to be more loving in our families. Maybe it's a call to use our talents to serve others. Maybe it's a call to a life of dedicated service to the Church.
Let's also pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. These are essential for the life of the Church, and we need brave and generous people to answer these calls. If you feel a stirring in your heart towards one of these vocations, don't be afraid to explore it. Talk to a priest, a religious sister or brother, or someone you trust.
Ultimately, living out our vocation is about giving our lives to God and to others. It's about finding our purpose in serving something bigger than ourselves. And when we do that, we find true happiness and fulfillment.
So, let us pray today that we may all be good listeners to the voice of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Let us pray that we may have the courage to follow him wherever he leads us. And let us pray that we may all discover and live out the unique and beautiful vocation that God has planned for each of us.
May we always trust in the love and guidance of our Good Shepherd.
Happy Feast
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