Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B: Vocation/Good Shepherd Sunday – April 21, 2024.
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.
The first reading discloses how Peter filled with the Holy Spirit cares for the vulnerable by healing a crippled man in the name of Christ. In the second reading St. John states that though what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed, when it is revealed, we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is. In the gospel, Jesus reveals himself as “The Good Shepherd” who lays down his life for his sheep.
Introduction
Friends in Christ, today, the Church celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday also known as Vocation Sunday. We pray for an increase in priestly and religious vocation. We also pray for parents who have embraced the vocation to the married life that they may nurture the faith of their children to embrace service to God and humanity as priests and religious.
Background and summary of the readings
The first reading (Acts 4:8-12) discloses how Peter filled with the Holy Spirit cares for the vulnerable by healing a crippled man in the name of Christ. He dares the Jewish leaders that “by this name and by no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy…” He assured that: “For all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.”
In the second reading (1 John 3:1-2) St. John states that though what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed, when it is revealed, we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is. The text calls us to reflect about the love the Father lavished upon us “by letting us be called God’s children” noting that “that is what we are.”
The gospel (John 10:11-18) Jesus reveals as “The Good Shepherd.” It insists that unlike the hired man who deserts the sheep in the face of danger, the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. Jesus maintains: “I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” He discloses that other sheep of his who are not of this fold listen to his voice. He concludes that the command given to him by the father is love that is why he freely lays down his life for his sheep.
Pastoral Lessons
- Care for God’s Flock: In a materialistic and narcissistic world where most people care for things and their bodies more than human needs, Pastors of souls are challenged to live by example by reflecting the image of Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep (Cf. John 10:1-18).
- Mentor the Young: Amid a world where most young people are either confused or have lost faith in God and humanity, Priests and Religious are urged to mentor children and the youth by directing them to the Good Shepherd who cares for them and never fails.
- Care for the Home: Mindful that the home is the Domestic Church, Parents are charged to fulfill the demands of Vocation Shepherd Sunday by nurturing their children in the faith and urging them to embrace the priestly and religious life.
- Support/Pray for Missionaries: We are challenged to support the Church financially by choosing to sponsor a seminarian, brother, or sister even as we 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.
- Pray for Vocations: In his message 2024 message for the 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Frances invites us to be “pilgrims of hope and builders of peace” just as we pray for an increase in vocations so that God may raise men and women with genuine call to lead the Church in the path of truth, faith and love.
Summary Lines
- The first reading discloses how Peter filled with the Holy Spirit cares for the vulnerable by healing a crippled man in the name of Christ.
- In the second reading St. John states that though what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed, when it is revealed, we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.
- The text calls us to reflect about the love the Father lavished upon us “by letting us be called God’s children.”
4.The gospel points to Vocation/Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus reveals his name twice as “The Good Shepherd.”
- He insists that unlike the hired man who deserts the sheep in the face of danger, the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.
Conclusion
The Good Shepherd knows each one of us individually. He identifies with us in the difficulties we face and addresses them at his own time. He carries us on his shoulders, he raises men and women of God to care for his flock and leads them to green pastures – He holds both shepherds and the sheep in the hollow of his palms – he never fails. Let us pray for our human shepherds so that they may not lose track of their calling to lead us to refreshing waters. Since everyone is a shepherd in his or her capacity, may God help us all, priests, religious and the lay faithful to revere the name of our Chief Shepherd by which we can be saved. Amen. Happy Vocation/Good Shepherd Sunday!
