Sunday, April 21, 2024 – Fourth Easter Sunday - Cycle BReadings: Acts 4:8-12, Psalm 118 “The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone”, 1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18

                                   WE NEED A GOOD SHEPHERD
 
Life is worth living only if it is to surrender. Christ is the Good Shepherd who gives his life for his sheep -he knows us each by name. The shepherds of our time are not only the priests, but all the coherent Christians. Today's Gospel speaks of shepherds and of mercenaries. Only the first are capable of giving their life for his flock.
 
Sisters and brothers:
1. Jesus ends the parable by saying: "I am the Good Shepherd." You and I are also the good shepherd if we meet the conditions: giving life for the sheep; know them by name, living among them by helping them with their problems and concerns, especially those outside the fold. Giving life is the supreme example of love. There are many who live off the sheep, taking advantage of the position and turning it into power and control, rather it should be responsibility and service. Being a shepherd is not easy. Knowing and giving life implies a personal, intimate, dynamic, and exciting relationship.
2. The teaching of Jesus is innovative and illuminates with a new light the relations of power and authority. "The good shepherd, says Vatican Council II, is known for the goodness of heart, sincerity, strength and steadfastness of the soul, and the constant concern of justice." We can be good shepherds or bad shepherds for others. Christ is the shepherd par excellence, but there are also other good shepherds among us.
 
Good shepherds can be found in every state of life, all professions, and all social classes. They must always be "self-giving" (to die to self) - to sacrifice, be loyal, and be an example of loving one another.
 
3. The Fourth Sunday of Easter is the day of vocations. The world needs to be evangelized with new methods, new enthusiasm, new language, says the Pope. We need priests who devote their lives to serving the elderly, the handicapped, the sick, the poor, drug addicts, and children. Today priests are needed more than a king, the military, bankers, doctors, and teachers, because they can replace all of them, but none can replace a priest if he were missing. Without priests, the world would die the worst hunger without that little bit of bread and that little bit of wine that are the focus of all liturgical celebrations.
 
Brothers and sisters: Let us pray that the Holy Spirit brings us many vocations. Many people can and do not want. Many want but cannot. A vocation is a calling from God. If any of your children has expressed an interest in a vocation, thank God for that. Protect them in their difficulties, pray for him to be generous; support their decisions. It will be the pride of your home and a blessing from heaven.
 
Source: ePriest.com / Best Practices and Homily Resources for Catholic Priests