Fourth Sunday of Easter: C: May 8, 2022

          JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

First Reading: Acts 13: 14 and 43-52

Second Reading: Apocalypse 7: 14-17

Gospel Reading: John 10: 27-30

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A description of the missionary journeys of Sts. Paul and Barnabas is given. Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel at the Synagogue of Antioch. Initially the people the town were receptive to the Word and responded with enthusiasm. Later some Jews conspired against them and the people became hostile. Due to the opposition they met with, Paul and Barnabas went to the gentile community (non-Jews) in the town and preached the Word of God in their midst. Many of the gentiles became believers in the Lord Jesus and His message. But some of the Jews incited the people against Paul and Barnabas and they were driven out of the city.

   *Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. A heavenly vision of St. John is narrated. A great multitude of people who underwent persecutions and sufferings for the Lord Jesus are rewarded and they are received in glory to the presence of the almighty God. They owe their victory to the care of Christ their Good Shepherd.

My sheep hear my voice                                                                    Today's gospel reading is from St. John. The qualities of Jesus the Good Shepherd are mentioned. Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice." To be sheep of Christ's flock would mean that we are always ready to listen to the Good Shepherd. There are mainly three ways in which Jesus the Good Shepherd speaks to us. 1. Through the Holy Bible. 2. Through our conscience. 3. Through the teachings of the Church. Jesus says." I know them." To know the sheep means to recognize each of them and to take care of them in challenging situations. Jesus knows each one of His sheep personally. In the book of Isaiah it is written, "I know you before you were born, I know you from your mother's womb." Hence Jesus the Good Shepherd protects the sheep and takes care of them. The sheep follow the Good Shepherd. The sheep do not follow a stranger but the one who takes care of them. So we are expected to follow Jesus the Good Shepherd in all circumstances of life. 

"We were looking for a 'Good Shepherd' and instead we got a German Shepherd." - Pope Benedict XVI (on his election as Pope)

"For he hears the lambs innocent call/ And he hears the ewes tender reply/ He is watchful while they are in peace / For they know when their Shepherd is nigh."  - W. Blake

"Too many leaders act as if the sheep (their people) are there for the benefit of the Shepherd, not that the Shepherd has responsibility for the sheep." - K. Blanchard