HOMILY FOR YEAR B OF 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
HOMILY THEME: LEARNING FROM JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD
BY: Fr. Arthur Ntembula
Acts 4:8-12, 1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18
Today, we celebrate Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who exemplified the qualities of a good shepherd through his life. One of the most profound qualities was his selflessness, demonstrated through his willingness to make sacrifices for his sheep. He dedicated his life to service, and in the end, he made the ultimate sacrifice by dying on the cross, so that we, his sheep, may have eternal life. As we reflect on Jesus the Good Shepherd, we should also recognize that through his actions, he taught us valuable lessons on how to take care of each other.
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Shepherding is a noble task that carries many responsibilities. These include leading the sheep to fresh pastures and water, protecting the sheepfold from wild animals, ensuring the coral is safe and habitable, bringing back the sheep home safely, bandaging any wounded sheep, knowing each sheep by name (or at least having our voice recognized by them), speaking gently to the sheep, carrying a staff as a symbol of protection, and ensuring the sheep stay in one place, among many others. As we are called to participate in this mission, it’s crucial that we all strive to embody these qualities, for we are the shepherds of our own communities and families, fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility.
Society, the church, and the family should be safe havens where everyone feels protected, loved, cared for, and accepted. Those in positions of authority are responsible for creating an environment that enables those under their care to experience God’s love. Jesus demonstrated how to serve humanity through his service, even in the face of rejection. He left us with the tools to continue his mission and said, “Do this in memory of me.” As leaders of our communities, whether in civil society or religious institutions, we need to serve like Jesus by guiding those in our care to greener pastures and providing a peaceful environment for all. When we help the wounded, assist the disabled, feed the hungry, and offer support to the weak, abandoned, and defeated, we serve Jesus himself, who empowers us to make a difference in the lives of others.
Jesus wants all Christians to participate in his mission of shepherding with a soft heart and a kind voice. We should ask ourselves: What kind of shepherds are we? Are we gathering or scattering our flock? Are we bandaging the wounded or hurting them even more? Is Jesus involved in our work? We must remember that we cannot be good shepherds without making the character of Jesus a part of what we do. He is the shepherd who died so that his flock may have life and have it to the fullest. What about us? Is there anything we can sacrifice about ourselves so that others may have abundant life? Or do we only care about ourselves? We are shepherds to one another, and our primary duty is to lead each other to that destination where we can find greener pastures and fresh waters. That place is what we call God. Let us continually reflect on these questions and strive to improve our shepherding skills.
Today, Mother Church invites us to pray for more vocations to religious life, priesthood, and marriage. These paths allow us to serve God and others in unique ways. Whether we choose to serve as a religious, priest or in the sacrament of marriage, we are all called to participate in the mission of shepherding. May the Lord help us discern properly and choose vocations in which we can serve Him wholeheartedly and happily.
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