Commentary on the Gospel of
Read: Today’s readings describe Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In the first reading, Peter announces that all are called to repent and be baptized in Jesus’ name. The second reading reminds the baptized that they are like sheep, loved and cared for by a shepherd who will not fail to protect his sheep, even at the cost of his own life. The Gospel makes clear that those who follow the Good Shepherd will know life in abundance.
Reflect: Life in all its fullness. What a promise! Who doesn’t want a full life? But too often we misunderstand this promise, expecting a life full of money and power and possessions. But these worldly things do make for a full life. Our lives are made full by love, not things. The love we give and receive, from spouse and child, parent, sibling, and friend makes our lives full. The love we give to our neighbors makes our lives full. By giving our lives in love for others, we are filled beyond our imagining. Only God can fill us with his life and Spirit and bring us to the perfect fullness of heaven.
Pray: Good Shepherd, lead me to live in the fullness of your love.
Act: Re-connect with a friend or family member you have not spoken to in a while.
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"Christ, Shepherd and Door "
Dear brothers and sisters, at this time, many thoughts and worries lead us to go back into ourselves, to listen to the voices that come to our hearts, to ask where they come from, and to ask for the grace to recognise and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd, who leads us out of the sheepfold and out of the sheepfold. Let us ask ourselves where they come from and ask for the grace to recognise and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd, who leads us out of the fold of selfishness and guides us to the pastures of true freedom.
The image of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, prevails on this fourth Sunday of Easter. The Gospel of John also compares Jesus to the Door, stating that those who enter through Him will be saved and will be able to go in and out. The two images, the Shepherd and the Door, fit Jesus. He is the realisation of the ideal of the perfect Shepherd: he seeks, guides, feeds, gathers, defends and gives his life for his sheep. He possesses all the virtues that a shepherd needs, such as authority, strength, humility, generosity and love.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave life and gives life; love is communicated, it is fruitful and sacrifices itself for the flock, so was Christ's. To give life is to give joy, reasons and the will to live, so that others may also be able to give life.
The second image with which Jesus defines himself today is that of the Door: "I am the door" (Jn 10, 9). Whether we go to the Father or to our brother, we have to go through Him, to have the same feelings and attitudes. This Sunday is the World Day for Vocations to the religious and priestly state.
The church and the world need them for their growth in faith, in the knowledge of God and humanity. They are living signs of the Gospel that the Good Shepherd, Jesus, came to preach and they are a grace to ask God for.
PRAYER: Thank you, Jesus, who walks among us, because you lead us to the Father. You are the visible face of the invisible God; You are the Door that gives us access to the Kingdom of God. Amen.ACTION: Let us pray for your shepherds, if we know any, let us show them our affection and gratitude.
(Psalm 22) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
"HAPPY SUNDAY TO ALL ".
