4th Sunday of Easter (Year A) – 30th April 2023

Acts 2:14. 36-41;
Psalm 22:1-6. R/ v. 1;
1 Peter 2:20-25
Jn 10:14; Jn 10:1-10

Theme: THE GOOD SHEPHERD KNOWS, LOVES, SACRIFICES FOR AND SAVES HIS SHEEP

1. Today is the fourth Sunday of Easter. Today we also celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday and Vocation Sunday. The readings today tell us of the three qualities of the Good Shepherd: (1) The Good Shepherd knows and loves his sheep. (2) The Good Shepherd sacrifices his life for his sheep. (3) The Good Shepherd saves his sheep. (CE)

The Gospel Acclamation today tells us that the Good Shepherd knows and loves his sheep and his sheep knows and loves him. We cannot love someone we do not know. We can only love someone we know. To know is to love. (NJB) Thus we read in the Gospel Acclamation:

“I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me.” (Jn 10:14; SM)

The Gospel today also tells us that the Good Shepherd knows and loves his sheep and his sheep knows and loves him. More than that, the gospel also tells us that the bad shepherd does not know nor love his sheep and his sheep do not know nor love him. The gospel today on the Good Shepherd taken from chapter 10 of John’s gospel is a commentary on the “Bad Shepherd” of chapter 9 of John’s gospel. The Pharisees were the bad shepherds. They excommunicated the cured blind man from the synagogue! (CSB) Thus we read in the gospel today:

“The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” (Jn 10: 3-5; CSB)

2. The second reading today tells us that the Good Shepherd sacrifices his life for his sheep. Thus we read in the second reading:

“He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” (1 P 2: 24-25; SM)

3. The first reading tells us that the Good Shepherd saves his sheep by his death and resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Thus we read in the first reading:

“On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd with a loud voice: ‘The whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.’

He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them, ‘Save yourselves from this perverse generation.’ They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptized. That very day three thousand were added to their number.” (Ac 2:14. 36. 40-41; SM)

4. The responsorial psalm follows the theme of the Sunday, that is, the Good Shepherd. Thus the response of the responsorial psalm:

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” (Ps 22 (23): 1; SM)

Not only we do not need anything, but we do not want anything!

The responsorial psalm has four stanzas. The first and second stanzas tell us of the Good Shepherd. The third and fourth stanzas tell us of the Host of the messianic banquet. The first stanza tells us that the Good Shepherd provides us with food and drink. The second stanza tells us that the Good Shepherd guides us (staff; HCSB) and protects us (crook). Thus we read in the first and second stanzas:

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.

He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.” (Ps 22 (23): 1-4; SM)

A happy Easter Season to all of you!

Amen!

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