Fourth Sunday in Easter: Readings - Acts 2:14, 36–41; Psalm 23:1–6; 1 Peter 2:20–25; John 10:1–10
(MSJ Farm)
The fourth Sunday of Easter is also called as Vocation Sunday. The Word of God today chiefly deals with this theme of Good Shepherd. We are all called to follow our Lord who keeps us safe and secure.
Peter the Apostle in the first two readings (Acts 2:14, 36–41and 1 Peter 2:20–25) exhorts people specifically, the kind of Jesus whom he is following. By following Jesus three things are assured: 1. Repentance and baptism in Christ, 2. Forgiveness of sins, 3. Showering of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. By doing so, your generation will be blessed. (Acts 2:38-39).
God blesses us even when we suffer especially during those times when we are just and truthful. "But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God's approval (1 Peter 2:20). This was not only an experience of Jesus but also of disciples including Peter. The words of Peter cut to the heart of people. Peter is so much filled with wisdom and courage his words have life changing effect on people. Just like his master, Peter now acts as a true shepherd guiding his people to a path of righteousness and peace.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus puts it very strongly the kind of Shepherd he is and what kind of shepherds this world needs. A true shepherd is the one who hears the voice of the sheep, knows them by name, leads them to green pastures and running streams, he goes before the sheep; they know his voice and follow him. He is also the door for the sheep. (Jn 10: 2-4, 9). Sheep are mentioned in the Bible over 500 times, more than any other animal. Jesus as a shepherd is a good shepherd, indeed.
Looking at the readings we could gather a number of things.
1.To stay secure in the Lord and in the right Church:
The world that we live in is messy in everything. Unfortunately, instead of choosing the right path of life, wrong paths lead us very quickly and make the process very smooth. Discerning the right path is very essential for a Christian. The saint we celebrated in this week St Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380) is best example how we can stick together in times of crises in our Church. Even at her young age, just 33 when she died, knew her path very well. She demanded the then Pope Gregory XI to reform the Church. She was so daring, St Catherine called the Pope to fix the administration of the Papal States and renewed the religious life too.
The highly popularised Latin phrase from St Augustine, Ecclesia semper reformanda est ("the church must always be reformed", shortened to Ecclesia semper reformanda) is essential in all ages of Church's existence. It has to re-examine itself in order to maintain its purity of doctrine and practice, thus fresh air enters through the windows of our Church. We have to ask that question of people at Peter’s preaching. “What are we to do?” There is a lot to do for our Church. We are called imitate our Lord radically in a new way of shepherding. By being leaders in our Churches we also participate in a very visible way in Christ's public ministry that is being true and exemplary witnesses.
2. Let no cares of this world bother us when we have the Lord. Today at the wake of Covid lockdown, there seems to be a lot of fear among us, fear about our present status and of the future. Yes, this pandemic makes us feel unsettled at best. It is sensical to have fear because we are finite, limited beings. However, when we have the Lord as our Shepherd, we should be less worried. When we do things right, take necessary precautions, keep open our ears to good advice, and follow them promptly, then why to fear? God helps those who helps themselves. We should put into our every cell those comforting words of Peter reminding us that we are loving God's beloved sons and daughters: 1 Peter 2:21
Recently Pope Francis quoted an Argentinian proverb explaining how to live through moments of crisis in the faith. “When you go on horseback and you have to cross a river, don’t change horses in the middle of the river”. Those who decided to leave Jesus, the Pope said, changed horses midstream. Instead, moments of crisis require that we persevere, remain silent, stay grounded in our convictions. “It is not the moment to make changes”, Pope Francis continued. It is the moment to remain faithful. It is the moment when God is faithful, he said. A moment of crisis is a call to conversion in which remaining faithful “may inspire changes for the better, but not to distance ourselves from the good.”
At this dark moments of our world and of the humanity we need to recite that Psalm 23 daily. By trusting in the Lord completely, we will surely be able to come out from this terrible times of our life.
- Olvin Veigas, SJ
03 April 2020
Peter the Apostle in the first two readings (Acts 2:14, 36–41and 1 Peter 2:20–25) exhorts people specifically, the kind of Jesus whom he is following. By following Jesus three things are assured: 1. Repentance and baptism in Christ, 2. Forgiveness of sins, 3. Showering of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. By doing so, your generation will be blessed. (Acts 2:38-39).
God blesses us even when we suffer especially during those times when we are just and truthful. "But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God's approval (1 Peter 2:20). This was not only an experience of Jesus but also of disciples including Peter. The words of Peter cut to the heart of people. Peter is so much filled with wisdom and courage his words have life changing effect on people. Just like his master, Peter now acts as a true shepherd guiding his people to a path of righteousness and peace.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus puts it very strongly the kind of Shepherd he is and what kind of shepherds this world needs. A true shepherd is the one who hears the voice of the sheep, knows them by name, leads them to green pastures and running streams, he goes before the sheep; they know his voice and follow him. He is also the door for the sheep. (Jn 10: 2-4, 9). Sheep are mentioned in the Bible over 500 times, more than any other animal. Jesus as a shepherd is a good shepherd, indeed.
Looking at the readings we could gather a number of things.
1.To stay secure in the Lord and in the right Church:
The world that we live in is messy in everything. Unfortunately, instead of choosing the right path of life, wrong paths lead us very quickly and make the process very smooth. Discerning the right path is very essential for a Christian. The saint we celebrated in this week St Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380) is best example how we can stick together in times of crises in our Church. Even at her young age, just 33 when she died, knew her path very well. She demanded the then Pope Gregory XI to reform the Church. She was so daring, St Catherine called the Pope to fix the administration of the Papal States and renewed the religious life too.
The highly popularised Latin phrase from St Augustine, Ecclesia semper reformanda est ("the church must always be reformed", shortened to Ecclesia semper reformanda) is essential in all ages of Church's existence. It has to re-examine itself in order to maintain its purity of doctrine and practice, thus fresh air enters through the windows of our Church. We have to ask that question of people at Peter’s preaching. “What are we to do?” There is a lot to do for our Church. We are called imitate our Lord radically in a new way of shepherding. By being leaders in our Churches we also participate in a very visible way in Christ's public ministry that is being true and exemplary witnesses.
2. Let no cares of this world bother us when we have the Lord. Today at the wake of Covid lockdown, there seems to be a lot of fear among us, fear about our present status and of the future. Yes, this pandemic makes us feel unsettled at best. It is sensical to have fear because we are finite, limited beings. However, when we have the Lord as our Shepherd, we should be less worried. When we do things right, take necessary precautions, keep open our ears to good advice, and follow them promptly, then why to fear? God helps those who helps themselves. We should put into our every cell those comforting words of Peter reminding us that we are loving God's beloved sons and daughters: 1 Peter 2:21
"Beloved:
If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good,
this is a grace before God.
For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps."
Recently Pope Francis quoted an Argentinian proverb explaining how to live through moments of crisis in the faith. “When you go on horseback and you have to cross a river, don’t change horses in the middle of the river”. Those who decided to leave Jesus, the Pope said, changed horses midstream. Instead, moments of crisis require that we persevere, remain silent, stay grounded in our convictions. “It is not the moment to make changes”, Pope Francis continued. It is the moment to remain faithful. It is the moment when God is faithful, he said. A moment of crisis is a call to conversion in which remaining faithful “may inspire changes for the better, but not to distance ourselves from the good.”
At this dark moments of our world and of the humanity we need to recite that Psalm 23 daily. By trusting in the Lord completely, we will surely be able to come out from this terrible times of our life.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
- Olvin Veigas, SJ
03 April 2020
2 comments:
I have read through good number of articles of yours so far. Everything is unique, inspiring with deep insights.The present article provided clarity and i always feel happy and motivated reading your articles.I just wanted to wish you all the further success of all your wonderful works.Thank you Father.
Today's reflection was very good Fr...
I liked one point very much...
Let no crisis of this world bother us when we have the Lord...
I am trying to experience this amidst disturbance I shared with u...
Silence, perseverance, & grounded in conviction... I think i need to focus on these points very much
Thanks for that beautiful reflection Fr
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