HOMILY FOR THE 4th SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR A

1. Acts2:14a.36-41

2. 1Pt 2: 20b-25

Gospel: John 10:1-10

                    "  JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD."

Dear brothers and sisters every Fourth Sunday of Easter  is called the Good Shepherd Sunday. This is because the readings we use talk about the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who is ready to lay down His life for us, ready to defend life, ready to spread life, ready to give His whole life for His sheep every day. A true leader models his/her leadership on the Good Shepherd.

All of us want good leadership. Good shepherds to lead us in an out of green pasture. We vote hoping to elect it, we apply for jobs hoping to work for it, and we go to school hoping to be educated by it. And all of us have the opportunity to become leaders because we have people to care, to tend and to lead. For instance our Pope, he is the leader of the universal Church. The bishop of is the leader of the local church called the diocese. The Parish priest is the leader of the parish. Lay leaders are leaders of their respective small christian communities and families and other religious organizations.

Today we are challenged that at times we do not find this good leadership that we sometimes look for. The trust we place on our leaders can be broken. So what  are we to do? Today's gospel reading  about Jesus who is the Good shepherd holds the answer even if many of us have hardly seen a sheep or a shepherd. And therefore we have a hard time also to understand the richness of the picture of sheep and shepherd as shown in today's gospel. There is one way of understanding  and that is, to learn the facts of shepherd life and the same time the spiritual meaning from the scriptures.

Before us we have the metaphor, shepherd leading the sheep, expresses five kinds of traits and characters which usually are distinct from each other of good shepherd:

First and foremost, a shepherd is dedicated. A true leader is ready to give his life for all no matter what. Unlike our modern leaders, for example, politicians, whose tongues are so sweet( more sweet than sugar), labor leaders, government officials, employers and even priests, who take advantage and enflesh themselves instead of tending and looking after people's welfare.

A dedicated leader must possess the so-called 4Cs.1. Competence. Being competent is not only referred to as competent in leading people but he/she must be competent with God. That he/she must have a knowledge of God and for God. 2. Commitment. Being committed  is generous, that is donating oneself for the sake of others. He/she is willing to share his/her 3Ts- Time, Talent, and Treasure. 3. Consecration. Here it means as leaders they are set apart for the service of God. That his/her main purpose why he/she serves the people because this is the best way on how to serve God. 4. Conversion. Being converted is ready to forgive whatever wrongdoing others have done against you.

Second, a shepherd is knowledgeable. The true leader knows hi/her people( John 10:13). " Knowing" in biblical terms is more than intellectual knowledge. It also includes knowing them by their names, works, ambitions, plans, feelings, sharing their life's conditions, backgrounds and identifying  oneself in their struggle.

Third, the shepherd is a leader. He is strong man who defends his flock against wild beasts. For example, David who defended his flock by seizing a lion by the jaw, strike it and kill it ( 1Sam17:34-37).

The leadership of Jesus is in walking a head of us and we follow because we recognize His voice of love. We will be safe if we follow His leadership. Whenever we meet a problem, it is surprising  how easily we hear His voice when we are willing  to listen to it. He does not impose but he only opens the gate, shows us the way and never request anything he Himself will not be willing to do.

Fourth, a shepherd is a companion. He is gentle with his flock, knows their condition and adapts himself to their needs as it is described of Jacob( Gen 33:13-14)

Fifth, a shepherd must be an exemplar. A leader must be an example in his/ her community by words and deeds. Like us priests, you address us " Father" because we have a big role to play as shepherds. 

Fathers are:

Fathers -Examples

Are- Regarding

The- Spirituality

Holiest.

The Lord entrusts His flock to his servants as shepherds. For example, Moses is such as shepherd. Psalm 77:21: " You led your people like a flock under the care of Moses and Aaron." Have we cared enough the flock God has entrusted to us?

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