Homily (Reflection) for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (The Good Shepherd Sunday) (B) (25th April, 2021) on the Gospel
Acts 4:8-12;
Ps 117:1.8-9.21-23.26.28-29 (R.V. 22);
1Jn 3:1-2;
Jn 10:11-18.
Today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as the Good Shepherd or Vocation Sunday. In line with Christ’s injunction: “… ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Matt 9:38), the Church is praying for the vocation to the priesthood and the religious life in a special way today. This forms part of the general intentions for today and priests are also called to give homilies on this subject, the vocation to the priesthood and the religious life.
Topic: Shepherds and Hired Labourers.
In the Jewish culture, the word
shepherd means much more than one who takes care of the ‘sheep’. It designates
any person in leadership position. We shall cite only two passages. While
praying for a successor, Moses likened a leader to a shepherd, cf. Num 27: 16-17. Again, when all the
tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron they pleaded with him in these words,
“... to you it was that Yahweh promised, ‘You are to shepherd my people Israel
and be leader of Israel’” (2Sam 5:2, cf.
1Chr 11:2).
And the functions of leaders that deserve the name include feeding
the flock, gathering the lambs, carrying them in his/her bosom, and gently leading
those that are with young, cf. Is 40:11.
The absence of a shepherd and/or the presence of a bad one spell doom for the
sheep. In the prophet Ezekiel we read, “... they were scattered, because there
was no shepherd; and they became food for all the wild beasts” (Ezek 34:5). The sheep suffers
afflictions in the absence of a good shepherd, cf. Zech 10:2.
In the gospel, we hear these words from Jesus: “I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11). On the other hand, “The hired hand, who is not the
shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep
and runs away – and the wolf snatches them” (Jn 10:12).
I would like us to reflect on the good shepherd as it concerns the
family. In every family, the father and the mother are the shepherds. However,
as these become professionals in different fields, many forget their primary
duties as parents. Becoming a professional is not bad provided the primary
assignment does not suffer. In many families today, maids, houseboys, nannies,
drivers and the likes have taken over completely the responsibilities of
mothers and fathers. Although the help of these may be needed but if they take
over the responsibilities of the shepherds of the families, it signals serious
danger.
In the prophet Zechariah we read, “Woe to my worthless shepherd,
who deserts the flock! May the sword smite his arm and his right eye! Let his
arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded!” (Zech 11:17). These words might look so simple but they are not for
they are condemnations for any shepherd who fails to shepherd.
We must remember that it will be very difficult if not impossible
to enjoy our wealth, fame, and so on if we lose our children. Your children are
the highest investment you can make.
Even in the church, many pastors today channel all their energy
towards dedicating church buildings and do very little or nothing towards
dedicating the people of God who are the true church, cf. Eph 5:23; Col 1:18; 1Cor
12:12. Most regrettably, in some
parts of Europe, many churches dedicated to God have been auctioned and
converted to other uses like warehouses among others. All these things we
struggle for today without struggling for the good of our children, what do you
think that will happen to them tomorrow?
The condition of many children today is not different from that of
the crowds Jesus pitied in the gospel according to Matthew: “When he saw the
crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless,
like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt
9:36; cf. Mk 6:34). Finally, no matter how good and wonderful a hired hand
is, he/she cannot take the place of mother and/or father in the life of a
child. Your children need you more than any other thing needs you. The question
is, ‘Will you give them yourself or a hired hand? As we pray for the increase
in the vocation to the Catholic Priesthood and the religious life, we must
remember that grace builds on nature. Well-trained children do better in the
Lord’s vineyard.
Bible Reading: Ezek 34:1-31; Zech 11:4-17.
Thought for today: How far do you do your work as a shepherd?
Let us pray: Good shepherd, give us the grace to follow your example in shepherding the sheep under us to the point of laying our lives for them – Amen.
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