Fourth Sunday of Easter ‘C’

The fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The Scripture readings for this day are about the role of the shepherds in the Church. Each year on this Sunday, we reflect on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who, with tenderness, takes care of His flock. The title "pastor" means shepherd. A shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects his flock. These responsibilities belong to every Church leader. The early Christians saw Jesus as the fulfillment of the ancient Jewish image of the Good Shepherd. They also wanted to include the Gentiles as part of God’s flock.

Today's First Reading describes how Paul and Barnabas chose to listen to the voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd and follow Him, and how, like their Master, they were rejected when they tried to share the good news of salvation.

The reading from the Book of Revelation depicts Jesus as the glorified Lamb and the Shepherd. John's vision contains the assurance that every person who has ever followed Christ and led others to Him will share everlasting life with Him.

The Gospel also offers us comfort and challenge. It’s comforting that no one can steal the sheep out of His Father’s hands. The challenge is that pastors and all people should be good shepherds to those entrusted to their care.

Let us become good shepherds! Everyone who is entrusted with the care of others is a shepherd. Pastors, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, government officials, etc., are all shepherds. We become good shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time and talents for their well-being, and protecting them from physical and spiritual dangers.

May we be good sheep in the fold of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Our parish is our sheepfold, and our pastors are our shepherds. As good parishioners, we are expected to hear and follow the voice of our shepherd through their homilies, counseling, and advice. We receive the spiritual food our pastors provide by regular participation in the Holy Mass, by the Sacraments, and by attending other prayer services.

The faithful cooperate with their pastors by giving them positive suggestions for the benefit of the parish community, by encouraging them in their work, by offering them constructive criticism, and by praying for them. They also do so when they cooperate in the activities of various committees and parish ministries.