The 4th Sunday of Easter is well known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus is the primary representative of the noble qualities of the shepherd. Christ’s enigmatic definition of himself as the Gate stresses the necessity of all the Church’s leaders to be closely united with him. If that condition is met, they can be compared to shepherds in ancient Palestine, leading their flocks safely in and out through the gate of one common enclosure. The shepherd, responsible for the overall safety of the sheep, would lie down across the gate entrance at night, putting himself in danger. In the case of Jesus, the Good Shepherd willingly died for his sheep.
Good Shepherd Sunday is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. It is a time to pray for potential candidates for priesthood and religious life, that they might respond generously to God’s call to continue and share in the caring, ready for any sacrifice, in the ministry of the Good Shepherd. Let us pray for families to be solid in faith, because they are the natural starting point for following Christ closely. The concept of vocations challenges everyone to offer their different personal talents and gifts, in service to the church and to others. We pray not only for vocations for others, but also for the discernment of our own contributions, or for strengthening our own commitment if the decision was already made.
Fr. Toni Baranowski, SJ
