4th Sunday of Easter (A)

(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

May 11, 2014
Liturgical readings
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 23
1 Peter 2:20b-25
John 10:1-10

"The sheep hear his voice as he calls his own by name."

The Psalm for Good Shepherd Sunday (Psalm 23), can be applied to one's relationship to Jesus: He is your good shepherd. He provides you with nourishment and leads you to restful waters. This shepherd-sheep relationship between the Lord and his faithful is described more in the gospel of John. The evangelist John uses this shepherd-sheep imagery because it is well-understood by the common people who followed Christ, and by the readers of his own time. The community to whom the evangelist John wrote can easily understand what Jesus was referring to because they themselves know about the characteristics of shepherds and sheep. They know how a shepherd takes really good care of his flock of sheep, and how he treats each one in particular.

How can this shepherd-sheep image be more understood in relation to the Catholic faith? Author Bishop Fulton Sheen dedicates a chapter of his book, "Life of Christ" to Jesus the Good Shepherd. Referring to the same psalm (Ps 23) for this Sunday, he writes:

Jesus was not the Good Shepherd because he provided only economic plenty; on the other hand, what was more important in this image is that Jesus would lay down his life for his sheep.

What Bishop Sheen is emphasizing is the responsibility the Good Shepherd practices in caring for his flock of sheep. The Good Shepherd commits himself and risks His life for the sheep; more than just providing them with nourishment.

Being responsible for others and oneself takes a lot of time, strength and resources. It is a test of patience, perseverance and faithfulness. There will be occasions that one may risk losing patience, strength to endure, or fidelity. But God's Word leads one back to the real source of strength to do God's will: in Jesus the Good Shepherd. In a world filled with many voices, the Voice of Christ in the Church is the most important. Humility makes one realize this. Christ in prayer and the Sacraments shepherds one's soul in the right direction. He also is the model of one's Christian commitment to contribute to the greater good: the Kingdom of God, where God's justice and mercy abounds for all.

Scripture quotes for reflection:
"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul" (Psalm 23)