“Jesus said: I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, we continue to celebrate Christ’s resurrection and the victory over sin and death, who wills to share the joy of eternal life with each one of us. Today is known as the “Good Shepherd Sunday.” It is also the “World Day of Prayer for Vocations.” Therefore, the major theme today invites us (1) to reflect on the image of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd, who devotedly takes care of His flock, willingly to lay down His life for His sheep, and (2) to imitate Him to become good shepherds ourselves, taking good care of people and the world that God has entrusted to us to fulfill our vocation.

The title of the parish priest is “pastor” which means shepherd. A shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects his flock. Actually, these are the responsibilities that belong to every Church leader.

The earliest Christians had seen Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the ancient Jewish dream of a Good Shepherd. They also wished to include the Gentiles as part of God’s flock as the Church continued to grow in numbers.

In recent times, today’s feast day is also known as “Vocations Sunday,” a day on which prayers should be said for all vocations, but especially for the priesthood and the religious life because these specific vocations are diminishing in comparison with other vocations.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to repent our sins, reflect on our vocation of dynamic Christian discipleship to live a holy life to fulfill God’s will and obtain our salvation.

How can we help each other become good shepherds in our duty of caring for those who are entrusted to us, hearing and following Christ’s voice, living and thriving in our faith?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.