HOMILY FOR THE 4TH WEEK OF EASTER SUNDAY YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: AM I WILLING TO LET CHRIST BE MY SHEPHERD?
BY: Fr. Augustine Ikechukwu Opara
ACTS 4:8-12,1 JOHN 3:1-2, JOHN 10:11-18
Today, the 4th Sunday of Easter is celebrated as the Good Shepherd Sunday. Still, in the light of the Easter joy for the gift of new life, we think of the ‘pastoral’ love of God, as we also pray for vocations, especially to the priesthood as inaugurated by Pope John Paul II during his pontificate on every fourth Sunday of Easter. Each year, we hear a part of the gospel John chapter 10. This year, being Year B, we listened to the second part of that chapter. Today, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11).
The concept of a leader being a shepherd is as old as the concept of monarchy itself. Jesus was not the first to use the image of the shepherd. Even in ancient civil society, the concept of the shepherd was used among kings and rulers. In the Old Testament, the image of the shepherd is used to refer to the leaders of the people of Israel. God calls Moses not only when he is tending the flock of his father-in-law (Ex 3:1), but Moses is given a shepherd’s staff (Ex 4:2) that he was already holding, now as a symbol of leadership, authority, and the power of God. We have the prophets again and again referring to the leaders of Israel as shepherds; they also refer to God as the true shepherd of the people. Jesus used images people were quite familiar with during his time. And so, the “Good Shepherd” parable was readily understandable to his audience.
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A lot of people don’t like to be compared to sheep. For one thing, sheep are not very smart. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Despite our stupidity, stubbornness, and fear, he loves and cares for us. He offers what is good for us, even when we refuse it or want to do something else. The Good Shepherd, Jesus tells us, has a personal relationship with each of his flock. He stays with us amid danger and hardship. He will not abandon us. He watches over us. He gently calls us when we begin to stray and seeks us out when we are lost.
Christ is the Good Shepherd. He is here to help us, but He will never compel us. He simply invites us, invites us to take His hand. Do we have the courage to admit we are trapped in a pit? Are we able to reach up and let him lift us out? Are we willing to let Christ be our Good Shepherd? He is our role model of love and care. If we obediently continue to listen to Jesus, he will lead us safely to our destination in heaven.
The celebration of Christ the Good Shepherd today reminds us that we are shepherds, as well as flocks. This is because each one of us is occupying one leadership position or the other. So, who is a good shepherd and where can we find one? We find one, in every good Mother or Father, in an honest President, Governor, or Mayor, and in a holy and caring Priest. We can find a good Shepherd in every humble and God-fearing young man or woman, in a caring Brother or Sister. Where there is a caring Doctor or Nurse, a dedicated Teacher, a good Cook, a Janitor, or a Gardener, there is a good shepherd.
Saint John gives us these words of Jesus: “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine, and mine know me.” God is seeking us out, just as a shepherd seeks his sheep. God wants us to be with him, just as the shepherd wants his sheep with him. This Sunday we are invited and challenged to give our lives completely to the good shepherd.
God bless you!
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