4th Sunday of Easter – Good Shepherd Sunday (Cycle C, Year II)
Community Word: Missionaries of the Risen Christ serve God in love.
Theme: We serve God in love when we follow Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
Promise: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” (Jn 10:28)
Reflection:
The 4th Sunday of Easter is known as the Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus Christ is presented as the Good Shepherd who lovingly takes care of the flock that His Father entrusted to Him. We are this flock. The familiarity, love and intimacy that binds the shepherd and the flock together enables them to know each other mutually.
The greatness of the love of the Lord for His flock is affirmed in the many attributes mentioned in the scriptures. In Psalm 23: 1-3, “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack. In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me; you restore my strength.” In Isaiah 40:11: “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom and leading the ewes with care.” In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of my Father’s hand. The Father and I are one,” (Jn 10:27-30).
We are his people, the sheep of his flock. We are called to listen to the voice of Jesus Christ and follow Him and be a good sheep of His Church. We are also encouraged to emulate His character as the Good Shepherd when we are called to handle shepherding roles.
As members of the Church or a community, we are given the opportunity to be shepherds as we are entrusted with people under our spiritual and moral care, especially new lambs. Shepherding is a demanding role and requires commitment, dedication, sacrifice, and attention. We become good lay under-shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time for their welfare, and guarding them from physical and spiritual dangers. It is important that we accompany them in their spiritual journey until they are able to firmly establish a stable relationship with the Lord. We glorify the Lord and find great joy and fulfillment in being able to respond and perform His call to shepherd His lambs.
We also aspire to be good sheep in the fold of the Good Shepherd. We recognize Jesus as the High Priest and the Church leaders as our shepherds. Hence, as the good sheep of the Church, we hear and follow the voice of our shepherds through their homilies, counselling and advice. We partake of the spiritual food they give through regular and active participation in the Holy Mass and by frequenting the Sacraments, prayer services, and renewal programs. We likewise cooperate in the activities of various councils, ministries and parish associations.
As members of the community we submit and conform to the anointed leaders as our shepherds in the various evangelization, formation, pastoral, mission programs. Our active participation, commitment to serve, and cooperation to the many apostolate activities are blessings and opportunities to become good followers of our Good Shepherd and be worthy of His promise: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish,” (Jn 10:28).
Fittingly, this Sunday is also designated as World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The world needs more pastors, priests, and religious people to answer the leading of the Lord to feed His sheep.
In the Philippines, local and national elections will be held on May 9. It is a crucial time for the Filipinos to choose the right and moral government leaders whom God has anointed to govern our political, economic and social well-being. We must choose those who speak the truth and have the genuine capability to lead the nation, with no other purpose but to serve for the common good. Let us come before the Lord that our hearts may be enlightened, because it is only in listening to the voice of our Good Shepherd that our future will be secured and blessed.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for your love and care as my Good Shepherd. Allow me to constantly hear Your voice so that I may follow You faithfully. Thank You for watching over me and leading me back to You whenever I go astray. You are my strength and my shield. You are my saving power. Bless me with a true shepherd’s heart so that I can share the love You have given me. Lead me to pleasing ways to serve You with all my mind and my heart. In Your most loving name, I pray. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- What distracts you from listening to the Shepherd’s voice?
- How do you respond to God’s call to greater service in the community or the Church?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
May 8, 2020 (Sun) – Acts 13:14, 43-52/ Ps 100:1, 2, 3, 5/ Rv 7:9, 14-17/ Jn 10:27-30
May 9, 2020 (Mon) – Acts 11:1-18/ Ps 42:2-3; 43:3-4/ Jn 10:1-10
May 10, 2020 (Tue) – Acts 11:19-26/ Ps 87:1-3, 4-5, 6-7/ Jn 10:22-30
May 11, 2020 (Wed) – Acts 12:24:13:5/ Ps 67:2, 3, 5, 6, 8/ Jn 12:44-50
May 12, 2020 (Thu) – Acts 13:13-25/ Ps 89:2, 3, 21-22, 25, 27/ Jn 13:16-20
May 13, 2020 (Fri) – Acts 13:26-33/ Ps 2:6, 7, 8-11/ Jn 14:1-6
May 14, 2020 (Sat) – Acts 1:15-17, 20-26/ Ps 113:1-8/ Jn 15:9-17
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
