4th Sunday of Easter(Cycle C, Year II)
Community Word: The Risen Christ calls us to believe in Him and receive His mercy and compassion.
Theme: We believe in the Risen Christ when we follow Him in doing the Will of the Father.
Promise: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”(Jn 10:28)
Reflection:
As we continue to celebrate Easter and the glorious reality of the Lord’s resurrection, we deepen our reflection on what it means to us, and for us, that the Lord is risen, alive and is truly present in us, His followers.
Today’s gospel is an analogy of our relationship with Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Sheep find their security and peace in the care of a shepherd who watches over them, protects them, and provides for their needs. Christ is the epitome of the good shepherd, and we are the people He pastures, the sheep of His flock.
We have full confidence that our Good Shepherd will never abandon us, nor be remiss in caring for us and providing all our needs: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want…” (Ps 23:1).
As human followers of Christ, we are, essentially different in nature from sheep, a farm animal with no rational mind, operating primarily on instinct, and with no free choice. On the other hand, as human beings, we have been created in the image and likeness of God, gifted with a conscience, a rational mind, and freedom to choose. In the Book of Revelation, John’s vision of the multitude of people in heaven helps us visualize the sort of “sheep” we are and how awesome is our Shepherd. John describes the people in his vision as “faithful survivors of a painful persecution,” who have been purified of all sins by the cleansing power of Christ’s death. They have suffered but were not defeated because they were united in Christ and were shepherded to the “springs of life-giving water” by the Lamb.
John’s vision fills us with hope and longing for the fulfilment of what God has revealed. The eternal reward of following Christ faithfully is beyond any fertile pasture we can imagine in this world. In shepherding us, Jesus’s primary concern is not to fill us with earthly pleasures and abundance, but to lead us to eternal life, a destiny so glorious, it eclipses even the best this world has to offer. Guided by our Good Shepherd, we continue on our pilgrimage in the midst of temptations and persecutions, our eyes focused on the day when we will be perfected in glory.
Paul and Barnabas provide us with a clear examples of how to be missionaries for the Good Shepherd. They are tireless in proclaiming the word of God to the Jews and among the Gentiles. They are not discouraged by persecution, seeing these in fact as signs that God wants them to reach out to others. They followed, not their own will, but that of the Lord who sent them to be the “light of the nations” and “instruments of salvation.” Like Paul and Barnabas who were productive lay under-shepherds to the Lord we too should be obedient sheep to our Good Shepherd in order to become effective missionaries in spreading the good news and the promise of eternal life to others. Jesus has already counted us as His own when He said: “My sheep hears my voice; I know them, and they follow me,” (Jn 10:27).
The voice of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, constantly calls us through our hearts, as we read and reflect on the word of God every day. When we truly listen and act on what we hear, following Christ becomes a decision and a way of life. True, suffering may be our constant companions in our faith journey, but the Lord’s consoling promise will always be our strength: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish,” (Jan 10:28). Indeed, “no one can separate us from the love of the Father, which comes to us through Jesus Christ our Lord,” (Rm. 8:39).
Prayer
Father, You have indeed called us through Your Son, Jesus, because it is Your desire that we will be one with You in eternity. Thank You for Your life-giving Spirit whom we received in our spiritual renewal. We are Your chosen ones. And as followers and missionaries of Christ, grant us the grace to be steadfast in our service to You through our BLD Community. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have I truly decided to follow the Lord who has called me to be His disciple?
2. In practicing my role as lay under-shepherd, do I lead my lambs to the Father?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
April 17, 2016 (Sun) Acts 13:14,43-52/Ps 100:1-2,3,5/Rv 7:9,14b-17/Jn 10:27-30
April 18, 2016 (Mon) Acts 11:1-18/Ps 42:2-3;43:3,4/Jn 10:1-10
April 19, 2016 (Tue) Acts 11:19-26/Ps 87:1b-3,4-5,6-7/Jn 10:22-30
April 20, 2016 (Wed) Acts 12:24-13:5/Ps 67:2-3,5,6,8/Jn 12:44-50
April 21, 2016 (Thu) Acts 13:13-25/Ps 89:2-3,21-22,25,27/Jn 13:16-20
April 22, 2016 (Fri) Acts 13:26-33/Ps 2:6-7,8-9,10-11/Jn 14:1-6
April 23, 2016 (Sat) Acts 13:44-52/Ps 98:1,2-3,3-4/Jn 14:7-14
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
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