Acts 13:14, 43-52; Rev.
7:9, 14b-17; Jn. 10:27-30
Church has established the Fourth Sunday in Easter time as “Good
Shepherd Sunday” – a day for us to reflect on the absolute need for good
shepherds in the Christian community, pray for our priests and religious, and
foster vocations from our community.
The name, Good Shepherd Sunday, derives
from the gospel reading for the day, which is taken from the tenth chapter of
John's Gospel. In this reading Christ is described as the "Good
Shepherd" who lays down his life for his sheep.
To understand today’s Gospel we must recall the
social setting in which John wrote his gospel. John was writing to a community
of Jews who had split because some in the community insisted on the divinity of
Jesus Christ. Those Jews who insisted on Jesus’ divinity had been expelled
from the synagogue. This left them vulnerable to Roman Persecution because
they were no longer exempt from emperor worship. John brings assurance to these
people with the words of Jesus that they will always be safe. Jesus says
that his sheep have been given to him by his Father, that no one can take
them away from him because no one is greater than his Father.
There is a great story of a mother’s powerful
prayers and sacrifices that gave a great saint to the Church. In North Africa,
a Christian girl, Monica was given in marriage to Patricius, who was not a
Christian. She attempted to bring her children up in the ways of the Lord, and
it pained her to see them stray from the truth she had taught them. Her most
promising son, Augustine, was given an excellent education, and Monica hoped
this might be a means of his more fully reaching God. Augustine ignored his
mother's warnings against youthful lusts and pursued a life of
self-gratification and immorality while continuing his classical education. He
lived with a woman and had a child. Monica didn't have the words to
convince her son of the truth of Christianity, but she determined never to stop
praying that he would turn to God. Finally Augustine Got converted to
Christianity. Constant prayer and tears of a mother had given the church one of
its most influential preachers, a holy bishop and a great saint – St Augustine.
The biography of many saints reveal that they were
encouraged by their parents to practice Christian values and that led them
to dedicate their life for the Church.
In generations past, when Roman Catholic families
were large and devout, behind almost every Catholic priest was a Catholic
mother who had encouraged one of her children to commit his life to a career in
the service of God.
We also have many examples where despite
the vehement opposition from the family people pursued consecrated
life. When St Francis of Assisi wanted to
follow Jesus, his father disowned him. Saint Clare of
Assisi was born into a wealthy Italian family but soon shunned
her luxurious upbringing to embrace the life of piety and poverty. Clare
refused to marry, as her parents wished, and fled to the Porziuncola Chapel
below Assisi.
We also know about the rebellious teen age act
of self-disfiguration of St Alphonsa by jump into a fire to avoid
marriage and get into the service of God.
At all times God chose people from all walks
of life and called them for his work. When Moses was called he was tending sheep. Amos, Shepherd and fig farmer was called from his farm.
Peter was called by Jesus when he was fishing. St. Francis Xavier was called
through St Ignatius Loyola. When the call of God came they were able to
recognize it and accept it.
But sometimes it is difficult to recognize the call
of God. The call of Samuel was a great example for it. The Lord called to Samuel, and he
replied, “Here I am!” Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you
called me.” But Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back and lie down.” So he went
back and lay down. The Lord again
called, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for
you called me.” But Eli said, “I didn’t call you, my son. Go back and lie
down.” Eli then realized that it was the Lord who
was calling the boy. So Eli said to Samuel, “Go back and lie down. When he
calls you, say, “Speak, Lord,
for your servant is listening.”
God continues his call. But our young people need
the help of the parents, the church and every one to recognize that call and
accept it. Pope Benedict XVI said that unless we teach our
youth how to pray, they will never hear God calling them into a deeper
relationship with Him and into the discipleship of the Church.
Now times have changed. Families are smaller.
Career choices are more plentiful. Priesthood and religious life have been
attacked due to some scandals and the work of a priest and religious have
become more demanding and stressful.
If we want to foster vocations from out parishes a
“vocation culture” has to take root in parishes and homes. Vocations must be
talked about regularly. Everyone who is called take up consecrated life has a
story, as how he recognized the call. There are young men from Army camps,
Naval base and Air force joining consecrated life. Their recognition of
the call may be sudden through events and people. But generally it is fostered
from early years. But the final decision should be free from all other
considerations and taken in a spiritual moment.
As a community our role is to foster a “vocation
culture” and Pray for an increase in vocations to the
priesthood and consecrated life. Jesus says in Matthew 9:38 “to beg the master
of the harvest to send labourers into the vineyard.” If we want more priests,
sisters and brothers, we all need to ask.
May
Jesus bless our communities with more and more good shepherds
Satish