IV Sunday of
Easter or Vocation Sunday (A)
Mass Readings: Act 2:14.36-41 Ps
23:1-3a. 3b-. 4. 5. 6(1) 1 Pet
2:20-25 Jn 10:1-10
Key Verse to Meditate:
Again, Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the
sheep (Jn 10:7).
My dear brothers and
sisters in the Lord,
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as Good Shepherd
Sunday, because every year the liturgy invites us to reflect on the image
of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, presented in the tenth chapter of the Gospel of
John. This beautiful image reminds us not only of Christ’s loving care for His
people but also of the need for shepherds in the Church who guide and care for
the faithful.
For this reason, this Sunday is also observed as the World Day of Prayer
for Vocations, instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1964. On this day, the Church
invites all believers to pray earnestly that many young men and women may
respond generously to God’s call to serve His people as priests, religious, and
committed lay leaders, following the example of the Good Shepherd.
The First Reading
The first reading is taken from the Acts of the
Apostles. This passage follows the event of Pentecost, where the disciples,
filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues and were understood by people of
different languages. As the crowd wondered about this event, Peter stood up and
addressed the people of Jerusalem: “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and give heed to my words” (Acts 2:14).
Peter, who had once been saddened and
fear-stricken, is now filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and boldly gives
witness before the crowd. He proclaims that Jesus Christ, whom they crucified,
is the one whom God has made both Lord and Christ. On hearing this powerful
message and accusation, the Scriptures say that they were “pierced to the
heart,” and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brethren, what shall we
do?” (Acts 2:37). This expression, “pierced to the heart,” reveals the power of
God’s Word, as described in the Letter to the Hebrews: “For the word of God is
living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division
of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and
intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Similarly, in the Bread of Life discourse, when
people sought Jesus the next day for material food, He challenged them not to
seek the food that perishes but the food that endures for eternal life, which
the Son of Man will give. In response, they asked, “What must we do, to be
doing the works of God?” (John 6:28). In the same spirit, Peter clearly invites
the people: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit” (Acts 2:38). The Word of God has the power to transform the life of the
community. It pierces the human heart, leading people to repentance and opening
them to receive forgiveness in Christ. When we allow the Spirit of God, present
in the Scriptures, to work within us, our lives too will be transformed, and we
will become true witnesses to Christ.
When we truly listen to God’s Word with an open
heart, it does not leave us unchanged; it calls us to conversion and renewal.
Like the early believers, may we respond with sincerity, allowing the Holy
Spirit to shape our lives and make us courageous witnesses of Christ.
The Second Reading
In the second reading, St. Peter reminds the
community of believers that enduring suffering requires discernment. When we
sin and are punished, there is no merit in simply enduring it. But when we do
what is right and suffer for it, and patiently endure, we find Favor with God.
This, Peter teaches, is the very path that Christ Himself walked for our sake.
In such moments of unjust suffering, we are
called to look to the crucified Saviour as our model. Though Christ committed
no sin and no deceit was found in His mouth, He willingly accepted suffering
and death, entrusting everything to God. As Peter writes: “For to this you have
been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that
you should follow in His steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in
His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered,
He did not threaten, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly” (1 Pet
2:21–23).
Referring to the prophecy of Isaiah, Peter
further affirms that Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we
might die to sin and live for righteousness. “By His wounds you have been
healed” (cf. Isaiah 53:4, 11; 1 Corinthians 15:3). The purpose of Christ
embracing such a humiliating and painful death was to lead us away from sin and
guide us into a life of righteousness. Through His sacrifice, we who were once
wandering and straying far from God have now found our way back to Him. Christ
is the Good Shepherd, the true guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25), who
lovingly leads us into the fullness of life.
Christian discipleship is not merely about
avoiding suffering, but about enduring it with faith when it comes as a result
of doing what is right. When we unite our struggles with Christ’s suffering,
they become a path of grace, drawing us closer to the Good Shepherd who heals,
guides, and strengthens our souls.
The Gospel Reading: The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
In the Gospel passage, Jesus uses rich imagery drawn from the pastoral
world to reveal His identity. He presents Himself not only as the Good
Shepherd but also as the gate (door) of the sheepfold. “I am the
gate for the sheep… Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go
out and find pasture” (Jn 10:7, 9). Unlike hired workers or mercenaries, who
work only for wages and abandon the sheep in times of danger, the true shepherd
knows his sheep personally and loves them deeply. There is a profound bond
between the shepherd and the sheep—he calls them by name, and they recognize
his voice. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is not a mere caretaker; He is the owner
of the flock. He protects, guides, and even lays down His life for His sheep.
The Call to Repentance and New Life
Both the First and Second Readings echo this message of salvation and
belonging. In the First Reading (Acts 2:38), St. Peter calls the people to
repentance: “Repent, and be baptized… so that your sins may be forgiven; and
you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This invitation is a call to
enter through Christ, the true gate, and to become part of His flock. In the
Second Reading, St. Peter reminds us that we were once like sheep going astray,
but now we have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls: “By his
wounds you have been healed” (1 Pet 2:24–25). Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid
down His life for us on the Cross, taking upon Himself the burden of our sins
and opening for us the path to righteousness and new life.
Jesus the Gate: The Way to Salvation
A key word in today’s Gospel is “gate” or “door.” Jesus says: “I am
the gate.” The gate serves as the point of entry and exit. Through Christ, we
find salvation, freedom, and nourishment. Entering through Him means
accepting His teachings, trusting in His love, and living according to His
will. This “entering and going out” signifies a dynamic relationship—one of
freedom and trust. In Christ, we find not restriction, but true freedom that
leads to abundant life.
True Shepherd vs False Shepherds
Jesus clearly distinguishes Himself from false shepherds—thieves, robbers,
and mercenaries—who exploit the sheep for their own benefit. They neither love
nor protect the flock: “All who came before me are thieves and bandits… but the
sheep did not listen to them” (Jn 10:8).
False leaders mislead, manipulate, and ultimately destroy. But Jesus,
the true Shepherd, leads with love, humility, and sacrifice. He invites us: “Learn
from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Mt 11:29). He also warns us to
be vigilant: “Enter through the narrow gate… Beware of false prophets… you will
know them by their fruits” (Mt 7:13–16).
The Role of Pastors and the Christian Community
In the Church, pastors are called to reflect the image of the Good
Shepherd. They are to guide, protect, and walk closely with the faithful. The
Christian community becomes the sheepfold, and Christ remains the true gate
through whom all must enter. The freedom Christ offers invites each person to
make a choice—to enter through Him and receive life, or to remain outside.
Choosing Christ is choosing life in abundance.
The Good Shepherd Who Leads Us
Jesus is not only the gate but also the Shepherd who walks ahead of us. He
knows each one of us by name, loves us personally, and offers His life for us.
He continues to guide us through His Word, the Sacraments, and the teachings of
the Church. As His sheep, we are called to listen to His voice, trust in His
guidance, and follow Him faithfully without hesitation.
Spiritual Conclusion: Listening to the Voice of the Shepherd
Dear brothers and sisters,
Jesus is our Good Shepherd—loving, caring, and ever faithful. He calls each one
of us by name and invites us into a deep and personal relationship with Him.
Today, let us ask
ourselves:
- Am I listening to the voice of the Good
Shepherd?
- Do I allow Him to guide my life?
- Am I willing to follow Him, even when the path
is narrow and challenging?
Let us also pray for
vocations, that many may respond generously to God’s call to shepherd His
people. May we learn to trust the Good Shepherd, walk in His ways, and find in
Him true peace, security, and abundant life.
Let us remember the beautiful words of Psalm 23:
“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
