Fourth Sunday of Easter
Also Read: Mass Readings for 21 April 2024 Mass Reading Reflection for 21 April 2024
Gospel: John 10: 11-18
How did Jesus want to be known? In the gospel passage we just read he defined himself twice, ‘I am the good shepherd.’ Greetings on the Sunday of the Good Shepherd!
Thank Jesus, you belong to His flock. Well, do you really belong to His flock? If you belong to His flock, you should know Him well. Because Jesus says that his sheep know Him. How do you know Jesus?
Do you know Jesus because you were born to Christian parents who baptized and took you catechism? Or you may know Him because you attend the Church regularly, receive the sacraments and listen to the sermons. If you do, you are indeed blessed, but it is only the beginning.
Do you know that Jesus as your shepherd? King David foresaw that the Lord is the Shepherd.
David knew that the Lord was his shepherd. It made him fearless. He wasn’t afraid to walk through the darkest valley. He wasn’t afraid of evil because he was sure that God was always with him. (Ps 23)
He wasn’t afraid that he was too small and too young to fight; he fought Goliath and killed him to save his country and fellow citizens (I Samuel 17: 12-51).
When he was hungry, he remembered that the Lord was his shepherd. So, he took the liberty to enter the house of God and ate the bread that was reserved exclusively for the priests. (Mat 12: 3-8).
He wasn’t afraid to spare the life of Saul who sought to kill him; because he knew well that the Lord, who anointed him, was there to protect him. (I Samuel 24: 1-22).
Although a king, he wasn’t ashamed to sing and dance, like a common man, in front of the Ark of the Lord. Because he was dancing in front of the Lord, his beloved shepherd. (2 Samuel 6:14-22).
He wasn’t afraid to forgive Shimei, the one who insulted him. (II Samuel 16: 5-13). Because he knew that his Shepherd was forgiving, and he had to follow the steps of his Shepherd.
He wasn’t afraid of his own failures. He humbly sought the forgiveness of the Lord, when he realized that he had committed a series of crimes. He did not try to escape from the vicinity of the Lord, instead went back to him with a broken heart. He knew that his Shepherd could forgive and heal. (II Samuel 11, 12).
Now the question is repeated, do you know Jesus, your shepherd? If you believe that Jesus is your shepherd, follow Him; follow Him always. Follow Him with your crosses, with your struggles, with your failures, with your anxieties. Follow him with the Bible in your hands, and prayers in your heart.
Always follow Jesus with love.
Amen.
