Leading to Springs of Life-Giving Water

Fourth Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday - May 08, 2022

Readings: Acts 13:14, 43–52; Psalm 100:1–3, 5; Revelation 7:9, 14–17; John 10:27–30

(Jesus the Good Shepherd)
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These days, we are flooded with the news of the bloody war in Ukraine unleashed by its neighbour Russia, the national economic crisis in our neighbouring country, Sri Lanka and unending communal hatred being spread by the loyalists and fanatics of the BJP supporters and its government/s in India. It would be interesting to ask if Paul and Barnabas were around what would have been their reaction as they go on their preaching trail? Which city they would have chosen as a base for their mission of saving work? The Acts of the Apostles says 'Iconium' was the city that they preferred. It was the safest. Paul and Barnabas even though they preached in Antioch in Pisidia had trouble from the community and so had to leave for Iconium. The passage reads: "The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit" in that city of peace and tranquillity (Acts 13:52). 

1. God's strength in spite of failures 

A lot of political game is going on here in Greek lands. We see first both Paul and Barnabas speaking with new converts to Judaism but now followers of Paul's faith and Paul tells them to remain faithful to their call of God. Then Paul and Barnabus turn to old Jews, and say to them these words, “It was necessary that the Word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:46).  Paul is demanding absolute obedience from them. In spite of many failures that Paul encounters a great multitude of people joins his way. 

Now turning to the Gentiles, because Paul and Barnabas seem to have associated too much and too long with people of old faith now look into converting the gentiles, who are in fact, non-Jews. But the result is pathetic. In the beginning, these Gentiles liked apostles but later on, the Gentile influential ladies listened to the instigating Jews to throw both Paul and Barnabas out of their territory. Somehow or the other Paul and Barnabas’ mission in Antioch was a failure. Their election manifesto seems to have failed to convince everybody or perhaps their election strategy was not adequate to deal with the issues of Antioch. They lost people of the old faith, gentiles, but not Jesus. They were not discouraged. They knew they were on the right path as John C Maxwell put it well: “Don't let your real situation discourage you. Everyone who got where they are, started where they were.”

2. Shepherding means being with the sheep 24/7

And the Gospel of today speaks about the good shepherd. In very simple words and metaphors, Jesus speaks about his mission and the relationship that he has with God. By our Baptism, we are marked as his flock. As a shepherd, Jesus wants to give his best to his sheep, his people. Shepherd knows his sheep and moreover knows them by name. He speaks their language. They are accounted for and not numberless. They are not a part of the crowd, but they are very much part of the life of the shepherd. Moreover, the peoples of every land hear Shepherd’s voice and follow Him (Luke 10:16). We are told, we are not just part of the one crowd but we are personally known by our Shepherd. In fact, Jesus says that in spite of the dangers surrounding us, no one can take us away from him. 

That means any threat to the sheep means a threat to the shepherd. So the shepherd takes care of the sheep and is even ready to lay down his life if any eventuality comes up in order to secure them. Jesus wins the confidence of the sheep. This idea is important to us in order to know the significance of Jesus in our lives. The last sentence from today’s gospel tells who Jesus is: “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30). Jesus had taught his disciples the prayer of "Our Father." He had spoken several times about his Father, even at the birth the angel Gabriel had said to Joseph that he should name the child '“Immanuel” which means "God is with us"' (Matthew 1:23). We are surrounded by different voices which catch our attention. It is easy to get lost and confused in this noise. We are called to press for pause and create space in our families and communities to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd who speaks in prayer and the Scriptures. 

3. Our intimacy with God flows through the person of Jesus

Now Jesus himself says I and Father are one. The connection that he makes fills us with the faith that if we have experienced Jesus then we have experienced God.  This is the experience that fills the hearts and souls of Barnabas and Paul. This is the fire that keeps the fire of God’s love burning in their hearts all through their life as missionaries, and campaigners in winning people for Jesus’ side. It also means that they are ready to go anywhere, to the recently converted pagans to Judaism, or to the Jews with whom both Paul and Barnabas shared their faith, or to the non-Jews or gentiles who shared nothing in common. 

Even when these three groups of people refuse them still they are on the way to preaching the Gospel. What fills them is a strong desire to serve God in whom they themselves converted and now through the Holy Spirit are full of wisdom and healing power, to give Christ to them, to give the peace of Risen Jesus. And John’s revelation tells us the beauty of this faith that we share beyond the shores. 

He writes: I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,.. and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev 7:9, 14b-17). These words radiate in today’s psalm as well. 

4. Following Christ means his mission becomes our mission 

Our life is connected with what we believe and how we put that belief into practice. St Cyril of Alexandria writes ‘By giving life Christ shows that by nature he is life… He does not receive it from another but supplies it from his own resources. We may also see in the word “life” a reference to the eucharist, by means of which Christ implants in believers his own life through their sharing in his flesh, according to the text: He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” (On John’s Gospel 7: PG 74, 20). Jesus invites us to share with him where we find ourselves today on this pilgrimage of life. Instead of trying to make our own ways, let us entrust ourselves to him and let him lead us along with the mountain passes and trails, with the assurance that no one can take us out of his hands.

Then following Christ and filled with his Spirit, his mission becomes our mission: to bring good news to the afflicted, proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind and let the oppressed go free. To establish justice and peace in our world. Jesus the Good Shepherd leads, and we follow. May this Good Shepherd Sunday help us to walk the talk on this day.

Questions for our reflections:

1. Where do we find ourselves today on the journey to eternity?  Are we looking forward to arriving there?  
2. Are we fearful of or hesitant about that goal of reaching our destiny that is God?  
3. Are we so burdened with the challenges of the present moment that talk of that distant future seems hollow?  
4. Do you feel that the Lord is guiding you? Recall some of your experiences.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, the light of the world and our Good Shepherd open my eyes to notice the magnificence of creation. Open my eyes so that I may always value and appreciate all who are part of my life. Open my eyes that I may be quick to notice when people are going through difficulties. Open my eyes so that I share your vision and see truly and deeply, outside of myself.

O God, be present with me always; dwell within my hearts. With your light and your Spirit guide my soul my thoughts, and all my actions, that I may teach your Word, that your healing power may be in me and in your church. Thus I may follow your way in my life. I make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

May 06, 2022