Fourth Sunday of Easter 5-11-25 Dcn. Bill Kenney
Ref.:Acts 13:14, 43-52, Ps.100:3, Rev.7:9, 14b-17, Jn. 10:27-30
Shepherds are God’s instruments of salvation
Sheep and shepherds. I’ve always appreciated the simplicity and relevance these images convey as metaphors for humanity and God's relationship with humanity. We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock, and are often portrayed as vulnerable, humble, and in need of guidance. The shepherd represents God's care, leadership, and sacrifice for his people, an instrument gathering us to salvation in Christ.
A shepherd's main duties involve caring for and managing a flock of sheep, including guiding them to fresh grazing areas, protecting them from predators, and ensuring their overall well-being. As God’s sheep, we are sometimes lost in the dark, afraid, needing our daily bread, needing protection from the errors and sin of this imperfect world. Christ the Good Shepherd comes and, in our need, finds each one of us when we stray from the fold and leads us safely home. The Lamb, as Revelation states,“… will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
In our reading from Acts, Paul and Barnabas were early shepherds of the church, speaking out boldly as the Lord
commanded them, “I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.” The Gentiles are delighted to be accepted and become one in the Lord’s flock, destined for salvation in Christ.
In our Gospel reading, Jesus says: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Jesus also speaks of the security of those who are in the Shepherd’s inseparable loving care. “…they shall never perish. No one can take them out of the Father’s hand.” Then he clearly reminds us, “The Father and I are one.” – indeed, the One Shepherd for our salvation.
Parents are intimately acquainted with their children. Likewise, Jesus the Good Shepherd intimately knows each of His sheep. As his sheep, our challenge today is to hear the voice of Jesus — to recognize it and to follow it; to tune-in to the Word of God teaching us how to know, love, serve, and follow Him. We listen to the voices of so many others: entertainers, athletes, media personalities, and politicians. But do we listen to the voice
of Christ, who speaks to us through daily prayer, Scripture, the Church, the Sacraments, in Adoration, and through our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Each of us is called to be a shepherd in our own way, whether that be in our families, in our concern for both neighbors and strangers, and in our concern for the spiritual good of our children, friends, and coworkers. Are we good shepherds? Do we help to find and bring back those who have strayed from the flock: the spiritually lost, the prodigal sons or daughters so that “…not one shall be lost.” We do this out of great love, as a spiritual work of mercy, so they may be rejoined into full communion with the Church. As we celebrate Mother’s Day today, we recognize the shepherding qualities of mothers to protect, nurture, and guide their child lambs, by the grace of God, to a fruitful life, serving as God’s instrument of salvation.
Christ enlists the help of other co-shepherds in the Church to help Him tend His flock. Especially now we pray and trust God’s divine providence to Pope Leo XIV, the Vicar of Christ, a Holy Father shepherd to lead Christ’s flock on earth.
On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we pray that God will open our hearts to respond to his call, whether to Christian marriage and the lay apostolate, the priesthood, the diaconate, or consecrated life. These are called to shepherd and feed the flock the Gospel, the moral and spiritual virtues, and the sacraments that Christ has entrusted to them.
The Eucharist we are about to receive is our food for the journey as we move from pasture to pasture in the phases of our lives. Bishop Baron explains, “…the one who eats and drinks the Lord’s Body and Blood becomes configured to Christ.“ The Eucharist helps us become like Christ, a Good Shepherd to others.
In our common vocation as children of God, may we recognize and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd and may we in turn shepherd those people the Lord has entrusted to our care. We know the shepherd’s voice. It truly guides us, fulfills our needs, and brings us to eternal life. May the Lord especially bless all mothers on this Mother’s Day, as well as fathers for their sacrifice and love in guiding their lambs to their salvation in Christ- for the glory of God.