4th Sunday of Easter(Cycle C, Year I)

Community Word:Followers of the Risen Christ faithfully live His word.

Theme: We are faithful to Christ’s word when we serve in His vineyard and proclaim the Gospel to the lost.

Promise: “The Lamb…will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water.”(Rev 7:17)

Reflection:
The 4th Sunday of Easter is better known as the “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Let us reflect upon and seek to understand through the readings, the qualities of a good shepherd that we may follow and imitate the Good Shepherd Himself, Jesus our Redeemer.

The disciples knew that they were called by the Lord because no matter what their circumstances or situation in life, the words of Jesus always filled them with joy and peace. Consequently, they did not choose the worldly life and attachments but opted for a conversion of life in Christ Jesus. They understood that it was time to “cast their nets into the deep” and to share the word of God not only with the righteous but also to all peoples – the Gentiles and pagans. They proclaimed the Good News of repentance, forgiveness and love of Jesus, such that many people came to believe and were converted, for the Holy Spirit was with them. It was no longer they who lived but Christ living in them.

The disciples were also prepared for rejection. On many occasions when they were with Jesus, they witnessed and experienced rejection by the Jewish authorities who felt threatened by their mission and wanted to silence them. Because of their patience and humility, they knew when to “shake the dust off their feet.” By this time, they had become risk takers. They understood that despite persecutions, blessing and grace will be poured upon them if they obeyed and put their trust in God. They knew that their reward is not on earth, but in the promised of eternal life with God. And so “filled with joy and the Holy Spirit,” they took the many risks confronting them.

We note that many of the great people who God anointed to serve Him were shepherds by profession, among them Jacob, Moses, David and many others who came after them. Perhaps they were chosen because of their natural ability to care, love and guide the flock entrusted to them. As seasoned shepherds, they were strong; they could hold their ground and fight to protect their sheep. Jesus was sent by the Father to be the Shepherd of humanity. God prefigured Jesus in the lives of these biblical shepherds that we may understand the role for which Jesus was sent as our true Shepherd.

The disciples of Jesus in moments of indecision, doubts and unbelief, found the strength and courage to carry on with their tasks after having personally experienced the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Only then did they understood their calling and truly heard the voice of God in their hearts. Only then did they found the boldness to risk ridicule, persecution and even death, as they stood witness, shared and propagated God’s word. And like the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, they cared for and guided His flock. They understood the promise of Jesus: “The Lamb…will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water,” (Rev 7:17).

Finally, the disciples were always united with God in prayer; they were one with Jesus, just as Jesus was one with His Father. This means they endeavored to make His thoughts their own, His plans their plans, and to act and behave like Him.

Prayer:
Lord God, thank You for showing me the qualities and character of a good shepherd. As I continue to live in community, grant me the grace to do Your will as You call me to remain in Your fold as well as care for your ‘lambs’. Grant me wisdom that I may know what to do and the strength to do Your will for me. I want to be like You, my one True and Good Shepherd. Help me that I may glorify You in my life, and in my community. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. What qualities of the Good Shepherd do I possess, or need to cultivate?

2. What areas of my life need changing that I may be more Christ-like, more like the Good Shepherd?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
May 12, 2019 (Sun)-Acts 13:14, 43-52/Ps 100:1, 2, 3, 5/Rv 7:9, 14-17/Jn 10:27-30
May 13, 2019 (Mon)-Acts 11:1-18/Ps 42:2-3; 43:3-7/Jn 10:1-10
May 14, 2019 (Tue)-Acts 1:15-17, 20-26/Ps 113:1-8/Jn 15:9-17
May 15, 2019 (Wed)-Acts 12:24:13:5/Ps 67:2, 3, 5, 6, 8/Jn 12:44-50
May 16, 2019 (Thu)-Acts 13:13-25/Ps 89:2, 3, 21-22, 25, 27/Jn 13:16-20
May 17,2019 (Fri)-Acts 13:26-33/Ps 2:6, 7, 8-11/Jn 14:1-6
May 18, 2019 (Sat)- Acts 13:44-52/Ps 98:1-4/Jn 14:7-14

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”