Jesus, the Good Shepherd Leads to Abundance

4th Sunday of Easter: April 30, 2023

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

(Jesus the Good Shepherd)

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/sdBOwQOXqNU

The fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. This is a day when we reflect on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep. The Good Shepherd is a powerful image that reminds us of God's loving care for us and His constant presence in our lives. On this day, we are told that we are not alone, but that we are part of God's flock, and that Jesus is always watching over us, leading us to safety and sustenance. However, we must ask ourselves, do we follow God’s voice calling us in our lives? Or are we sheep who have gone astray? 

1. Need of going back to the spirit of the Early Church

We continue to read the life of the early church as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. St Peter filled with the Holy Spirit steers the nascent Christian Church very boldly and passionately. He finds all the answers in the person of Jesus Christ. Chapter two of the Acts of the Apostles is a testimony for this. Christ's sufferings and his example inspire us to patiently endure the trials and hardships that we face as followers of Christ.

i. Christ's suffering was purposeful: The passage reminds us that Christ suffered for a purpose, namely, to bear our sins in His body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. This shows us that suffering, while painful and difficult, can have a redemptive purpose. When we suffer, we can offer our pain and difficulties to God and trust that He can use them for our good and the good of others.  In the midst of suffering, we must find hope, purpose, and strength by following Christ's example and entrusting ourselves to God. 

ii. Christ's example is one of non-retaliation: The passage also reminds us that when Christ was reviled and suffered, He did not retaliate or respond with violence. Instead, He entrusted Himself to God, who judges righteously. This challenges us to follow Christ's example and respond to suffering with patience, forgiveness, and a commitment to nonviolence.

iii. We are called to return to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls: The passage concludes by reminding us that we were like sheep who had gone astray, but now we have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. This tells us that even when we suffer, we can find comfort and hope in Christ, who is the Good Shepherd who cares for and protects us.

2. Jesus is our shepherd who gives an abundance of life

In St John's Gospel, 10:1–10, Jesus very boldly instructs his people by taking the popular image of the Good Shephard to make his point that he is the true and good shepherd. In Jesus, we find our true guide and mentor, teacher and leader. 

i. Jesus is the true shepherd: In this passage, Jesus refers to Himself as the shepherd of the sheep. This imagery is powerful because it reminds us that Jesus cares for us like a shepherd cares for his sheep. He knows us by name, and He leads us to safety and sustenance. As followers of Christ, we can find comfort in knowing that we are not alone, and that Jesus is always watching over us.

ii. We must enter through the door: Jesus also describes Himself as the door of the sheep. This means that if we want to be saved, we must enter through Him. There is no other way to find salvation than through Jesus Christ. As Christians, we must remain steadfast in our faith and trust that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

iii. Jesus offers abundant life: Finally, Jesus says that He came so that we may have life, and have it abundantly. This is a powerful promise, and our lives are meant to be rich and full. When we follow Christ, we can experience true joy, peace, and fulfillment. Even in the midst of suffering and hardship, we can find hope in the promise of abundant life that Christ offers.

Overall, this passage is a powerful reminder that Jesus is the true shepherd who cares for us and offers us abundant life. As followers of Christ, we must remain steadfast in our faith and trust that Jesus is the way to salvation. When we do, we can find comfort, hope, and purpose in our lives.

Conclusion:

As we reflect on the Good Shepherd, we are reminded that Jesus knows us by name and that He is always calling us to follow Him. He knows our fears, our doubts, and our struggles, and He cares deeply for us. When we feel lost, alone, or afraid, we can turn to Jesus, who will guide us and lead us to safety. It is the day to reflect on the image of the Good Shepherd and the love that He has for His sheep. Let us be grateful for the ways in which God cares for us, and let us commit ourselves to following Jesus, who leads us to abundant life. May we always trust in the Good Shepherd, who watches over us and protects us, now and always.

Questions for reflections

1. How do I respond to the voice of the Good Shepherd in my life?
2. Am I able to discern the difference between the voice of the Shepherd and the voice of a thief or a stranger?
3. What are some of the "thieves and robbers" in my life that distract me from following the Shepherd's voice?
4. Am I willing to lay down my own desires and follow the Shepherd's leading, even when it goes against my own plans and preferences?
5. What steps can I take to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Good Shepherd and grow in my ability to recognize and respond to His voice?
6. How can I share the abundant life that I have received from the Shepherd with others?

Prayer based on Psalm 23

Dear God, Thank you for being our shepherd and guiding us through life's journey. We pray that you lead us beside peaceful waters and green pastures, refreshing our soul and providing for our needs.

Please comfort us in times of darkness and uncertainty, and restore our faith in your goodness and mercy. Help us to trust in your protection and provision, knowing that you are always with us. May your love and grace follow us all the days of our lives, and may we dwell in your house forevermore. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

April 28, 2023