Homily forthe Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) Year C
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Homily forthe Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) Year C
(Acts 13,14, 43-52; Revelation 7,9, 14-17; John 10,27-30)
The Sheep that Belong to me Listen to my Voice!
Today is traditionally referred to as the “Good Shepherd” Sunday or “Vocation” Sunday. This Sunday is dedicated to praying for and supporting vocation to the priestly and religious life. The liturgy of today invites us to listen to identify with Christ by listening to him and supporting the spread of the Good News.
The first reading is the first the three times Paul was rejected by his Jewish kinsmen during his mission of evangelization. Rather than stop the spread of the Gospel, this rejection spurred Paul and Barnabas to spread the Gospel further among the Gentile Nations. Through this, we are taught that rejection and disappointment are motivations for encouragement in the spread of Good News.
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In his revelation, John was shown countless number of saints from every nation, race, tribe and language, who having been washed in the blood of the lamb, now enjoy eternal happiness in God´s throne. Our resolve to persevere in living out our Christian values in spite of the challenges and pleasures of the world assures us of eternal happiness with God here and here after.
The gospel of today centres on the theme of Christ the Good Shepherd. A shepherd has an intimate bond with his flock just as we bond with our pets. As our Good shepherd, Christ tells us that he knows us and invites us to follow him. He also assures us of divine protection and direction. As members of God´s flock, it is important to have confidence in him. Just as he tells us today, God is greater than everyone. We don´t need to fear any force or power. With God on our side, all other powers who rise against us are valueless.
Beloved in the Lord, the Church invites us today to pray for and support vocations to the priestly and religious life. Like Paul and Barnabas, there are a lot of missionaries who labour in difficult terrains. Like them, many priests and religious suffer rejection, persecution and indifference from the very flock they tender. Many others work in environments of hunger, war, violence and abject poverty, such that, the missionaries are the only source of encouragement and survival for those living in these areas. Let us encourage these missionaries working in difficult environments through our prayers and material support.
The Church also invites us to pray that the Good Lord send more labourers into his vineyard. Let us pray for an increase of vocation to the priestly and religious life. Let us also pray that God may also increase in us the consciousness of our common priestly vocation through which we all participate in the priestly, kingly, and prophetic mission of Christ the great high priest. In all our activities of life, may we always identify ourselves as members of Christ´s flock, listening to him and following him confidently. May our actions and deeds guarantee us of a share in the countless number of God’s elected and a share in the eternal happiness of God.
Happy Easter!
#Chukwudalu
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