Shepherding with Love and Care

Fourth Sunday in Easter: April 26, 2026

Readings: Acts 2:14, 36–41; Psalm 23:1–6; 1 Peter 2:20–25; John 10:1–10

Le Bon Pasteur by Philippe de Champaigne
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/Tc-otoaZqn8

God enters into our lives in unexpected ways. As deeply religious and convinced of God's presence permeating around us, we believe that it is God who is guiding us and shepherding us. While looking at the incredible creation in which we live, one thing is certain: there should be some mighty power behind all of this. The world around us and all that it contains is so systematically woven and engineered that there is some sort of order in God's creation. Unfortunately, it is we who create disorder and destruction around us. As we savour the blissfulness of the Easter Season, on this Fourth Sunday of Easter, the liturgical readings are so vibrant and encouraging that all of us are invited to follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, ardently and lovingly. 

1. Listening to the right voices

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Gospel of John 10:1–10 places before us the striking image of the Good Shepherd and the sheep who recognize his voice. It is a passage that speaks quietly yet powerfully about trust, belonging, and the deep relationship between Christ and those who follow him.

Jesus begins by contrasting the shepherd with the thief. The thief climbs in from elsewhere, bringing fear, confusion, and destruction. The shepherd, however, enters through the gate—openly, truthfully, with rightful authority. This distinction invites us to examine the voices we listen to in our own lives. Not every voice that calls us leads us to life. Some promise fulfillment but leave us restless and fragmented. The voice of Christ, by contrast, does not coerce or confuse; it calls gently, personally, and with clarity. If we have not thought about this voice for a long time, perhaps today is the right time to sit down and listen to it. 

2. Relationship strengthened by familiarity

There is something deeply consoling in the image of the sheep recognizing the shepherd’s voice. It suggests familiarity born of a relationship. Faith, then, is not merely about knowing doctrines, following the rituals, traditions or fulfilling obligations; it is about learning to recognize the voice of the Lord amidst the many competing sounds of the world. Unfortunately, a good many of them, like jealousy, wickedness, evil, unkindness, etc., are driving us closer to Satan. The recognition of Shepherd's voice grows in silence, prayer, involving oneself in works of charity and attentiveness. It grows when we allow ourselves to be known by Him.

Jesus also declares, “I am the gate.” Through Him, we enter into safety, freedom, and pasture. The image is rich: the gate is both protection and passage. In Christ, we find both security and openness. He does not enclose us in fear but leads us into a spacious life—“life in abundance.” This abundance is not measured in material terms but in the depth of peace, purpose, and communion with God. As Easter people, we must embrace the abundance of God.

3. Being flexible for the mission

Yet, there is also a challenge embedded in this Gospel. To follow the shepherd, the sheep must move. They must leave behind what is familiar and trust where they are being led. The Christian journey is not static; it is dynamic, ever-changing, ever-growing; it requires listening and responding. It calls for discernment—the ability to distinguish the voice of the shepherd from the noise of the stranger.

In a world filled with distractions, anxieties, and competing claims, this Gospel gently calls us back to a simple but profound question: whose voice shapes my life? The Good Shepherd does not shout over the noise; He calls each one by name. To hear Him, we must become attentive. To follow Him, we must become trusting. And in following Him, we discover that we are not lost, not abandoned, but led—led into life, and life in its fullness.

Questions for self-reflection

1. Whose voice do I truly listen to in the quiet of my heart—Christ’s, or the many competing voices around me?
2. In what ways have I experienced the Good Shepherd guiding me personally in my life?
3. Am I willing to trust and follow the Lord even when the path ahead is uncertain?

Prayer

Good Shepherd, in the midst of many voices that pull and distract us, help us to recognize Your voice—gentle, true, and life-giving. Lead us out of our fears and confusions into the quiet trust of Your presence. Give us the grace to follow where You guide, even when the path is unfamiliar. Keep us close to Your heart, that we may find in You our safety, our freedom, and the fullness of life You promise. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ
E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net
Blog: Celebrate Faith
Video: YouTube

24 April 2026

Emmaus and Us - Awakening at the Eucharist

Third Sunday of Easter: 19 April 2026

Readings: Acts 2:14, 22–28; Psalm 16:1–2, 5, 7–11; 1 Peter 1:17–21; Luke 24:13–35

The disciples of Emmaus with Jesus at the breaking of the bread

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What is it that keeps our memories alive? Is it the past experiences or acts that made an imprint on our memories? We remember the past based on our experiences, memories and recollections. Memory is essential to carry forward the past. Memories evoke both good and bad feelings in us. We can not live without our past; however, the memories make us come back alive and relive those past experiences. Memories have a future. Our future is determined by the past, especially those things which are life-giving and fulfilling. We carry the past within us, and yet we make choices about what we would like to carry with us so that they give meaning and purpose in our lives. As we celebrate the Third Sunday of Easter, the liturgical readings invite us to rejoice with the disciples of Emmaus. They found purpose in their lives by celebrating the Eucharist, which brought back memories of Jesus at the Last Supper. This incident never stops them but makes them run without stopping in proclaiming who Jesus really was.

1. Easter: God meets in our narrations of fears and frustrations

The Gospel of Luke 24:13–35, the journey to Emmaus, is a deeply human and profoundly consoling resurrection narrative. It speaks not only of encountering the risen Lord, but of how He meets us in the ordinary paths of our lives—especially when we are confused, threatened, feared, disappointed, destroyed, discouraged, or lost.

Diving into the Mercy of God with Peace

Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy): April 12, 2026

Readings: Acts 2:42–47; Psalm 118:2–4, 13–15, 22–24; 1 Peter 1:3–9; John 20:19–31

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Who does not doubt? Belief is a very subjective matter and is based on one's convictions and experiences. Doubt arises when certainty is unclear. It may be because either we have not experienced it, or we are not convinced of it. We make conscious decisions in our lives. They are based on our experiences, assumptions, knowledge or inner convictions. We cannot believe everyone and in everything. However, we can believe based on our life experiences. The aspect of faith or convictions of faith can enable us to believe what we see, touch, smell, taste and feel. When we have to believe in something beyond space and time, we need the grace of intelligence and wisdom. Knowledge alone does not suffice us to believe something we have never heard of. As we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter, which is also called Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church invites us to gaze at the Resurrected Jesus not with our exterior eyes, but with our eyes of faith.  

1. Easter brings the gift of peace and reconciliation 

For the Jews, the first day of the week is Sunday. Saturday is a Sabbath Day. So the event of the appearance of the resurrected Jesus happens on a Sunday evening. The frightened disciples are gathered behind locked doors—fearful, uncertain, and fragile. Into this closed space, Jesus comes and stands among them. There is no rebuke, no accusation for their abandonment, no reminder of their failure. Instead, there is a gift: “Peace be with you.”

Easter Sunday - Christ is Truly Risen

The Resurrection of the Lord/The Easter Sunday: April 05, 2026

Readings: Acts 10:34, 37–43; Psalm 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23; Colossians 3:1–4; John 20:1–9

The Resurrection of our Lord

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The message of Easter is very clear: Christ is truly risen! The events that followed the crucifixion of our Lord give a rare glimpse of who Jesus was: Fully human and fully divine. With the resurrection of Jesus, the divinity of Jesus shines brighter than before. Jesus is no longer constrained by time and space. Jesus makes himself visible to everyone who longs to see him or waits on him. The mission of Jesus gets transformed now as St Paul would say that Christ "becomes all in all."

1. At Easter, it's Time to Believe

Easter dawn breaks not with noise or spectacle, but with a quiet, almost hidden revelation—the stone rolled away, the tomb empty, and hearts slowly awakening to a truth too great to grasp at once. The Gospel of John 20:1–9 draws us into this delicate moment of discovery. Mary Magdalene comes while it is still dark, carrying within her the weight of loss. Peter and the beloved disciple run toward the tomb, caught between confusion and hope. What they find is not the Risen Lord immediately, but signs—linen cloths lying there, the absence that speaks of a presence beyond death.

Good Friday - Accomplishing the Final Act with Love

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion: April 03, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16,5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42

Crucifixion of Jesus

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What a day! And it is called Good Friday!! The death of God-man on the Cross, and still we call this day Good Friday!!! The poignant moment of the death of the Messiah makes us stand still and listen to the inner voice of our being. What is this all about? Why must an innocent man die on a Cross? The most brutal, terribly painful and awkwardly humiliating death a person could go through in the Roman Empire was crucifixion.  It was such a heinous death that no one dared to undergo. But here we have on this day, we commemorate that brutal death of our Saviour and Master year after year. The same death, the same event, the same humiliating expressions, and yet we try to find meaning for our lives through devotion and faith. 

1. Pushing the evil away and not reconciling

As we stand at the foot of the Cross of our Saviour and kiss it with a sense of reverence, it brings to our mind the stark reality of evil, wickedness, jealousy, envy, animosity, grudges, scorn, and hostility in this world and in the lives of people. As we scroll through the Word of God in the Holy Bible, it becomes certain that evil can take over good and has a say for some time. Perhaps, evil might not win continuously or eternally, but it has its say that could be detrimental to the life of the person.  The Word of God tells us emphatically that Jesus "went on doing good." Then what went wrong in the life of Jesus to carry the Cross to Calvary?

Lord's Supper: A Call to Live the Eucharist

Maundy/Holy Thursday - The Lord’s Supper: April 02, 2026 

Readings: Exodus 12:1-8,11-14; Psalm 115(116):12-13,15-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15

The Last Supper of Jesus
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We celebrate on this Maundy Thursday, a definite, enduring and continuous presence of our Lord Jesus Christ amongst us. The event of the establishment of the Holy Eucharist, which took place 2000 years ago in an obscure upper room in one of the houses in Jerusalem, still continues to be celebrated today as a mark of our Lord's intimate presence amongst us. The scene of this enactment of the Lord's Supper continues to draw inspiration and accept the challenges and sufferings this world brings to us. By participating in this mystery of the Eucharist, we are prepared to face any challenges with joy and courage. Moreover, it enables us to carry forward the memory and mission of our Lord to the ends of this earth.  

1. Holy Eucharist: Partaking in His Divine Nature

Maundy Thursday draws us into the quiet, intimate heart of the Gospel—into an upper room where love takes visible form. Jesus makes a particular mark in human history through this act of sharing the Passover meal with his disciples. St. Paul, in recalling the tradition he himself received, brings us face-to-face with the mystery of the Eucharist. “This is my body… this is my blood.” These are not merely words spoken once in history; they are a living memorial, a presence that endures. 

The Passion of our Lord, the Passion of the Humanity

Passion/Palm Sunday: March 29, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 50:4–7; Psalm 22:8–9, 17–20, 23–24; Philippians 2:6–11; Matthew 26:14–27:66

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a mule
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What is it like entering into the lives of others? What is it that makes us be compassionate and show our empathy to the person who is suffering?  It is our attitudes, feelings, values, convictions and readiness to embrace the other as our brother or sister. As we enter into the mystery of Christ's Passion, suffering, death, and resurrection, we are invited to enter more intensely into the life of our Lord Jesus, lovingly, passionately, and with a heart full of tenderness and love. Today, we read in our Churches the passion narrative of our Lord, so that it enables us to enter into the drama of Jesus' passion. 

1. Passion of our Lord, the Passion of the Humanity

Today, the Church celebrates Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. It is a beautiful day when we realize that what matters most in our lives is giving time to others. The liturgy of today in our Churches and parishes unfolds with a profound and almost unsettling beauty. It begins in jubilation—palms raised, voices lifted, hope awakened. Yet, as the narrative deepens, the tone shifts. The hymns of praise give way to the solemn cadence of the Passion. Glory and suffering stand side by side, not as opposites, but as inseparable companions in the mystery of Christ.

Lent: Finding the Fullness of Life through Trust and Hope

Fifth Sunday of Lent: March 22, 2026

Readings: Ezekiel 37:12–14; Psalm 130:1–8; Romans 8:8–11; John 11:1–45

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Bringing solace and hope to those who are mourning or hopeless is a beautiful thing. It is an act of mercy. We need people who can comfort us when we are in sorrow or suffering. We need people who can put their shoulders on us and listen to us. In a world of competition and the rat race, very few have the time and willingness to do that. When we look at the life of Jesus, we see this aspect of readiness and willingness to comfort those who are mourning, despite a busy schedule or being far from home. Jesus touches the lives of his good friends, Martha and Mary. He reaches out to them at the very toughest time of their lives, when they have buried their beloved brother. At that moment, Jesus does an unimaginable thing: he raises Lazarus from the tomb and gives them back their loving brother, alive. This is what true friendship means: reaching out to those who trust us and love us at the right time with the right act of love.

1. Lent: Waiting for God in Patience

The Gospel of John 11:1–45, the raising of Lazarus, stands as one of the most profound revelations of who Jesus is—not merely a healer, but the Lord of life itself. Yet, before it becomes a story of resurrection, it is deeply a story of waiting, sorrow, confusion, and faith stretched to its limits. Jesus hears that Lazarus is ill, and surprisingly, He delays. This delay is unsettling. It challenges our instinctive belief that God must act immediately when we pray. 

Lent - Encountering the Healing Touch of God

Fourth Sunday of Lent: March 15, 2026

Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1, 6–7, 10–13; Psalm 23:1–6; Ephesians 5:8–14; John 9:1–41

Jesus is healing a blind man
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Often, it is difficult to see the good in others. Human nature tends to react with jealousy, anxiety, and many questions when something good happens in another person’s life. It may seem strange, yet it is often true. Unfortunately, the prosperity of one person sometimes becomes the cause of heartburn for another. There are people who try to malign the name of someone who is good and sincerely striving to make a difference in his own life and in the lives of others. Wickedness and evil, in subtle ways, seem to be part of the human condition. While we strive to do good, there is often a contrary impulse within us that pulls us in the opposite direction. This week, the Church celebrates Laetare Sunday, which falls on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. As we reach the middle of our Lenten journey, the Church invites us to rejoice. Christ comes as the Light of the world, entering the darkness of human life to restore sight. The healing of the man born blind by Jesus becomes a subject of intense dispute, especially among the Pharisees, who were unable to recognize the goodness present before them.

1. Healing: A journey of encounter

The Gospel of John 9:1–41, presents the powerful story of the healing of the man born blind. At one level, it is a miracle story, but at a deeper level, it is a revelation about spiritual sight and spiritual blindness. The physical healing becomes a sign pointing to a deeper transformation that Jesus desires for every human person.