SUNDAY 25TH APRIL 2021
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY AND VOCATIONS SUNDAY
Acts 4:8-12
1 John 3:1-2
John 10:11-18
I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Today the 4th Sunday of Easter, is usually known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The gospel reading is that of John 10 where Jesus proclaims himself as the good shepherd. It is also a day we pray for and encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that God should send people after his own heart to lead his flock.
In every human society, it is very important to have leaders, it is of more importance to have good leaders who care and are concerned for their people. Some leaders can go as far as laying down their lives for their subjects.
For us Christians, Jesus is our leader and shepherd. God has assured us through the prophet Isaiah 49:15, that even if a woman should forget her suckling child, he will never forget us.
In the gospel reading of today, Jesus tells us that he is the good shepherd, and he tells us what is expected of us as shepherds. Some years ago, it was very easy to compare the love of God for us with the love of Fulani Herdsmen for their cows. The image of Fulani herdsmen today has been bastardized as they are now portrayed as thieves and kidnappers. Fulani herdsmen were known for their love for their animals, they lead them to green pastures, give them water, protect them against dangerous animals and even communicate with them. Their cows hears their voice and act accordingly. They are very close to their cows that they smell like them. This is the same care and love Jesus shows us. He wants us to trust and believe in him. We should not listen to other voices, because they are thieves and robbers who have come to feed on the sheep.
This is why St John tells us in the second reading of today that we are privileged to be called God's children because he has lavished us with much love, including sending his son to die for us. The parable of the lost sheep always reminds us that God does not want anyone to be lost, and that he cares for every human soul. This is why Jesus says in the gospel reading that there are other flocks which do not belong to the sheep fold. We pray for our separated brethren, that God will help them to hear the voice of the true shepherd sent by God.
In the first reading of today, we see Peter as the shepherd of the people, explain to the then that it was through the name of Jesus whom they had killed that he healed the cripple at the gate of the temple. He told them to repent of their sins and accept Jesus so as to be welcomed back into the sheep fold.
On this day therefore, we pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that God should inspire young men and women who will be good shepherds after his own heart to continue his work of human salvation so that everyone can hear the true voice of God and come into the sheep fold. We pray for all those in formation, that God will continue to speak to them daily and mold them for his work.
We thank God that we have shepherds in the Church who are leading us back to God our father. We pray for those who are not under true shepherds, that they may hear the voice of the true shepherd today and enter the fold.
Pray for your shepherds today as well, that they may be people after the heart of Jesus.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP
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