READINGS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B, SUNDAY 21ST APRIL, 2024.
First Reading: Acts 4:8-12
Psalm: 117
Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-2
Gospel: John 10:11-18
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM
JESUS CHRIST: OUR GOOD SHEPHERD
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are in the Easter season. The celebration of Easter is extended throughout the Easter season. Easter is not a one day celebration. Easter lasts for fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B. Today, we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday when we traditionally encourage people to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The Gospel of John chapter 10 draws our attention to Jesus Christ our Good Shepherd. It offers deep theological insight for our reflection today as we pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.
On Good Shepherd Sunday, we celebrate the Risen Lord’s victory over death. He lays down his life for his sheep. A Good Shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects His sheep.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus confirms that He is the Good Shepherd who knows, leads, protects, loves and died for his sheep on the cross. (John 10:11-18).
In the Second Reading, St. John tells us how the Good Shepherd of the Old Testament, expressed His love for us through His Son Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, by making us His children. (1 John 3:1-2).
In today’s First Reading, Peter explains to the Jews that there is no salvation except through Christ, the Good Shepherd. Peter told them that the apostles preach and heal in the name of Jesus our Good Shepherd whom they crucified. (Acts 4:8-12).
Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me.” (John 10:14). “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me.” (John 10:27-28). “I am the gate of the sheepfold.” (John10: 7). “I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). Jesus is true to his name. He knows us by our names and listens to us in our difficulties. He cares for us and leads us to the right paths. He gives us life in abundance.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. We are encouraged to listen to Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd today. If we listen to him and follow where he leads, He promises us eternal life. We need the help that comes from Christ, from the wisdom found in his word and from the grace which he bestows us in the sacraments of His Church. On this day of Prayer for Vocations, we are reminded that, “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37).
Pope Francis in his message on the 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2024 entitled, “Called to sow seeds of hope and to build peace” says, “the World Day of Prayer for Vocations invites us to reflect on the precious gift of the Lord’s call to each of us, as members of his faithful pilgrim people, to participate in his loving plan and to embody the beauty of the Gospel in different states of life. Hearing that divine call, which is far from being an imposed duty – even in the name of a religious ideal – is the surest way for us to fulfil our deepest desire for happiness. Our life finds fulfilment when we discover who we are, what our gifts are, where we can make them bear fruit, and what path we can follow in order to become signs and instruments of love, generous acceptance, beauty and peace, wherever we find ourselves.”
We are invited to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and the Consecrated Life so that we may have more holy and Spirit-filled shepherds to lead, feed, and protect our community and the entire Catholic Church.
May God help us to discover our true self to enable us experience the joy of the Risen Lord. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM