Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A: Vocation/Good Shepherd Sunday – May 3, 2020.

Readings: Acts 2:14,36-41; Ps 23:1-3a 3b-4, 5, 6; 1 Peter 2:20b-25 & Gospel – John 10:1-10.

Theme: Imitating the Good Shepherd

Summary Lines

The first reading reveals Peter’s edge-cutting homily on Pentecost which led to the repentance of about 3000 people. In the second reading, St. Peter urges us to imitate Jesus’ suffering and patience. The Gospel which describes Jesus as the Door of the Sheepfold warns us against going through another way. It assures that the shepherd will only open the door to those who listen to his voice. On Good Shepherd or Vocation Sunday, we pray for more vocations to the priestly and religious life even as we commit our missionaries on the fire-line to the care of God! 

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, the Fourth Sunday of Easter also known as Good Shepherd or Vocation Sunday invites us to measure our various vocations on the barometer of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The Catholic Church teaches that there are two vocations in the Church which the Penny Catechism refers to as Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders – Little wonder, they are called the Sacraments of Christian Vocation. Since sacraments are ladders for climbing to the heavens, it is important for the ministers of the word and sacrament to reassess their vocation. Members of the laity too who are grafted to the Lord by the virtue of their baptism into Christ are given another opportunity to reflect on their lives to see if the family is indeed the Domestic Church which incubates vocations to the priestly and religious life. Our reflection titled: “Fourth Sunday of Easter” aspires to provoke us to reflect on the standard set for us by our model, the Good Shepherd.  

  

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Acts 2:14, 36-41) recounts how Peter gave an edge-cutting homily on Pentecost which led to the repentance and baptism of about 3000 people. It emphasizes that they repented of their sins and accepted the faith in fulfilment of the prophecies of old. It further revealed Peter’s testimony of the word thus: “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

In the second reading (1 Peter 2:20b-25), St. Peter calls the faithful to imitate Jesus’ patience by urging them to do right even if they have to suffer for it. He noted that although he did not commit any sin and no guile was found on his lips, when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but trusted in the one who had the will to deliver him. Apostle Peter emphasized that he bore our sins in his body on the tree so that we might live for righteousness; he further assured that we are healed by his wounds - although we went astray, we are now back to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls.

The Gospel reading (John 10:1-10) presents Jesus as the Door of the sheepfold. Therein, Jesus warns against going through another way other than the door; he assures that the shepherd will only open the door to those who listen to his voice and follow his lead.  He surmised: “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I came so that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Pastoral Lessons

1. Seek the Holy Spirit: Pastors of souls are challenged to seek the Holy Spirit which has the power to make them preach edge-cutting homilies that are capable of changing multitudes as Peter did in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4:8-12).

2. Seek Repentance:  Just as Peter’s audience repented and were baptised, there is no better time to make a metanio in our lives than during this Coronavirus pandemic when the world is in a slow motion of deaths, fear, anxieties, hunger, joblessness and seeming hopelessness.

3. Save Yourself: St. Peter was not oblivious of dissenting voices that was why he warned: “Save yourselves from this crooked generation – this advice is timely and worth pondering upon.

4. Be Patient: Apostle Peter urges that when we do right and suffer for it, we should take it patiently – this admonition makes a lot of sense to our many brothers and sisters who fell for the venom of COVID-19 for no fault of theirs – This is not a dead sentence; you shall come out victorious through Christ who strengthens us and heals all ailments.

5. Imitate Christ: In a world where the persecution of Christians is rife, our second reading (1 Peter 2:20b-25) reminds us to imitate Christ who although did not commit any sin, did not revile in return when he was reviled and when he suffered, did not threaten but trusted in the one who judges justly.

6. Suffer for Others: By stating that “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree…” St. Peter invites us to be ready to make sacrifice for others especially reaching out to the sick, aged, imprisoned and abjectly poor during this period of lockdown.

7. Seek His Healing: By stating “by his wounds you have been healed,” the second reading assures all those who are currently in various isolation centres around the world that Jesus has the power to heal them permanently given the water and blood that gushed forth from his side which is emulated at every sacrifice of the Holy Mass through anamnesis.

8. Return to the Shepherd: This period of stay-at home, quarantine, self-isolation and lockdown is a time for all those souls that were not close to their God to ensure that they return to the Shepherd and Guardian of their souls.

9. Enter through the Door: The word of God says, wide is the gate that leads to perdition – as such, in the gospel (John 10:1-10), Jesus invites us to enter through the narrow door of trials, temptations and tribulations bearing in mind that shortcuts are dangerous for our faith and salvation.

10: Pray for Vocations: On Vocation’s Sunday, the Church invites us to pray for vocations to the priestly and religious life even as we commit missionaries who are having a tough time in the missions to the Lord so that together, we would be like the Good Shepherd who came to seek out souls that are lost.

Summary Lines

1. The first reading recounts how Peter gave an edge-cutting homily on Pentecost which led to the repentance and baptism of about 3000 people. 

2. In the second reading, St. Peter calls the faithful to imitate Jesus’ patience.

3. The Gospel reading presents Jesus as the Door of the Sheepfold.

4. Therein, Jesus warns against going through another way other than the door.

5. H assures that the shepherd will only open the door to those who listen to his voice.  

Conclusion

Good Shepherd or Vocation Sunday reminds us that, the harvest is rich but the labourers are few. What this means is that parents and guardians must be willing to allow their children choose which vocation they want in life. Perhaps there is no time in contemporary history that the futility of life has dawned upon us than now due to the number of lives that are lost on daily basis. This calls for sober reflection about the meaning of life and the ultimate destiny of man. Let us pray for the gift of equanimity and sagacity so as to realize that only service to God and humanity counts more than anything else. After all,  these are the trademarks of the priestly and religious life.   

In conclusion, let us dedicate our prayers this week to our front-liners – priests, religious, doctors, nurses and other para-medics who are daily ministering to the sick. May Christ the Good Shepherd grant them something of his patience to be able to do their work contentiously without seeking for earthly reward. May this celebration help us to be shepherds in our little ways who are ready to make sacrifices for a better world. May the Lord of the harvest decorate his vineyard with shepherds who are willing and well motivated. Amen!