HOMILY FOR THE 4th SUNDAY OF EASTER IN YEAR B

1. Acts 4:8-12

2. 1Jn3: 1-2

Gospel: Jn 10:11-18

              " A manager or a good Shepherd"

The fourth Sunday or the middle Sunday of Easter season is traditionally celebrated as Good Shepherd Sunday.  In this Sunday we lift up that particular image of Jesus and our way of thinking about God's care for us. We hear the deeply comforting words of Psalm23. We are reminded that Jesus not only protects us in our darkest moments, but also He freely laid down His life for us. What greater love can be imagined isn't it?

This image of Jesus as the good Shepherd is one that is well known and it should be. When we think of Him in this image it brings to our minds all kinds of images which recall the ways in which our Lord cares for us. As stated in Psalm 23, God Himself is depicted in lovely ways as the shepherd of His people. This can be seen in His promises He made through his prophets, that since no one else is worthy or able to assume the responsibility, He will Himself come and be His people's shepherd. In His care, people will be safe and they will be contented.

With this in mind, why did Jesus use this image of the Good Shepherd? In Palestine the Shepherd brought the sheep into the sheepfold every night. It was a circular stone wall with an opening  or door where the sheep entered. Once the sheep were inside for the night the shepherd slept in that  opening or door all night. The sheep could not get out without stepping over the shepherd's body which meant they would not get out at all during the night. Thus, Jesus is the gate and anyone who enters through Him will be safe and will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. Others steal and kill and destroy but Jesus is the good Shepherd.

Jesus could have called Himself as Good Manager but instead He chooses to be called the Good Shepherd why? It is because a good manager is one who manages well. It is not that the manager is lacking in zeal but a manager, more often than not, is a hard worker. In fact a manager is so overwhelmed with works at times that he can hardly manage.

Let us see some descriptions of a shepherd in comparison to a manager. First the Shepherd has time or makes time for his sheep. While a manager will find will find his ways and means to manage his time, the shepherd is committed to be really present all the time if not, most of the time. For a true Shepherd, presence is something that is not negotiable and cannot be delegated.

Second, a shepherd gives quality time. The manager, precisely because he is in the business oa managing, will sometimes go to the extent of managing even people, their feelings and their perceptions. He tries to " make for lost time." But sooner or later, his lack of commitment and dedication will show. The good shepherd goes about His task with no stress and in peace precisely because he knows and his people know that he is really there for them.

Third, the shepherd works overtime. A manager is very calculating and exacting of time. For a manager, time is a precious commodity that is seen in terms of productivity and output. His constant battle  cry is accomplishing the most, with the least effort and within the shortest time. He will rarely go for overtime. The shepherd sees time also as a precious commodity but in terms of input and love. He does not take short cuts. He waits patiently and he does not mind working overtime. He really doesn't have a battle cry. He only has a song: " What is time without love? What is love without time?"

Lastly, the shepherd will be there " til the end of time." A manager is concerned about projects, deadlines, return on investments, quotas and timetables. He is for the  " short time" He is for daily dying to self. He is forever.

Thus when we think of the image of the Good Shepherd or not, whether we like it or not, we are shepherds too. We lead other people to verdant pastures. As a parent, teacher, relative, friend or companion we influence people for the better or the worse. Even a little child is a shepherd for his parents. Many fathers have looked at their children's  eyes and have seen a trust which prevented them from going astray. So what are we, a manager or a shepherd?

Let's pray that we may listen to the voice of Jesus as He calls, that we may enter the sheepfold through Him and be safe and have life and live it to the fullest.

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