* IV Easter (A), April 13, 2008
* Theme: Through Baptism, we all share in the ministry of Jesus

* Frankly being compared to bleating sheep has never really appealed to me.
* Sheep, by and large may be cute, but they not very smart.
* In addition, it is hard for us city types to relate to the pastoral scene of a sheepfold.
* However, let’s try to open up the Sunday readings a bit in order to see how God is calling us today in 2008.
* These scriptures treat of Baptism and what it means to be incorporated into the fold of Jesus.

* In the First reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter makes a direct appeal to those Jews who are longing for the Messiah.
* He opens with a statement more than an accusation.
* Jesus, whom they had crucified, God had raised to be “Lord and Christ”.
* Not in anger, but with desire, the Jews who had been listening ask Peter what they should do.
* This sets up the basic proclamation of early apostolic preaching:
* All who desire salvation must repent and be baptized and thus receive the Holy Spirit.

The Second Reading continues the encouragement to the Early Converts:
* The author is paraphrasing verses of the Suffering Servant Song from Chapter fifty-three of Isaiah.
* For those who do good, Baptism is not an escape from pain and suffering, but rather an immersion into the mission of Christ.

* With this background, let us reflect on the Good Shepherd image of today’s Gospel from the 10th Chapter of John.
* Jesus is the Good Shepherd and by our Baptism, we are called to share in his pastoral ministry.
* These readings remind us that here at Blessed Sacrament the ministry of Jesus is not reserved for the priests or for the lay staff members.
* Through our Baptism, all of us share in the ministry of Jesus.
* We all follow the same Shepherd together.

* It might be helpful to know a little about shepherding customs in time of Jesus:
* Several shepherds would gather their flocks in the same fenced-enclosure.
* The sheepfold might be constructed in a pasture using brush and sticks, or it might adjoin a wall of a house.
* Owners of small flocks of sheep would have combined them in the secure enclosure at night.
* Someone would then guard the flocks.
* The “gate” would have been a simple entrance, but the shepherd might even stretch out across the opening and literally be the “gate.”

* But today’s narrative suggests that the shepherds arrive early and are admitted by the gatekeeper.
* They call out to their sheep and the members of the flock recognize the voice of their own shepherd.
* The shepherd then walks in front of the flock and they follow.

* The evangelist is emphasizing the close relationship Jesus, the shepherd, has with his community,
* And he also stresses that the community must be aware of false leaders.
* They claim allegiance and lead people astray.
(cf. Jude Siciliano)

* The risen Jesus is the true shepherd, the one who enters through the gate.
* True Christians follow the true shepherd: they recognize his voice and they obey his commands.
* They hear his message about loving enemies, about seeking first the kingdom of God, about forgiving seventy times a day.
* They hear him talk of concern for the poor, of selling all that one has, of being perfect as their heavenly Father is perfect.
* They listen to him say that they should not worry about tomorrow, that they should turn the other cheek.
* They hear and obey, following their shepherd through the gate.

* There are false shepherds as well who speak other words:
* Of defending one’s rights above all no matter who else is hurt,
* Of accumulating wealth at any price,
* Of achieving social prominence by any means possible.
* (cf. Gerald Darring, liturgy.slu.edu)
* False prophets that call out for war to settle ancient and modern differences,
* Voices of excess which tempt people to follow unhealthy life patterns,
* Voices of indulgence that lure us to drain our natural resources for temporary satisfaction, but will leave future generations in want and stress,
* Voices of discouragement that causes us to give up on efforts that help others
* We may no longer be a rural people, but who has not heard the voice of “false shepherds” who have attempted to lead us down villainous paths?

* The Good Shepherd is not just a leader of an ambiguous flock:
* We are not just part of a crowd.
* He calls his own by name and leads us
* We are known “by name.”
* The Good Shepherd calls us that we, “might have life and have it more abundantly.

* As we continue with our Liturgy today.
* Let us pray for the Pope and the Bishops of the world that they open their hearts to the Spirit of God so they can shepherd the Catholic Church in the Twenty-first century
* Let us pray for Politicians and World Leaders that they follow wise counsel and work for the good of all.
* Let us also pray for ourselves that we can learn to share in the ministry of Jesus in the Church and in the World today.

* Thank you
* Amen

← Previous Page — Next Page →