Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Acts 2.14, 36-41;
Ps 22;
I Pet 2.20-25;
Jn 10.1-10
THE SHEPHERD’S CALL
Our Lord frequently employs the image of a shepherd with his flock in parables, where He refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd. In the present Gospel, He describes Himself as the gate of the sheepfold, overseeing and safeguarding His flock. This imagery is particularly relevant for today’s Mass, as it coincides with Vocations Sunday, a day worldwide dedicated to contemplating God's call to the priesthood and religious life.
We may draw reassurance from two promises: first, from the words of God the Father, spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “I will give you shepherds after my own heart.” These words affirm that God will never leave His people without spiritual shepherds to gather and guide them: “I will set shepherds over my people, and they shall care for them.” The most complete fulfillment of this promise was realized in God's sending His Son to be the Good Shepherd. Christ then entrusted the ministry of shepherding God's flock to the apostles and their successors.
Within this context, we also recall the second promise made by our Lord to Simon Peter: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church. The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." These words represent Christ’s assurance to the Church He established, ensuring that He will continue to call men to the priesthood within that Church: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Without priests, the Church could not fulfill the command of our Lord to "do this in remembrance of me," which entails the ongoing sacrifice of the Mass—the giving of His body and the shedding of His blood for the salvation of the world.
Therefore, we must face the future with confidence that God’s promises will remain steadfast, and that the Church will continue to have priests to serve His flock. His past pastoral care for His people has never failed, and it will undoubtedly remain reliable.
Perhaps one reason for the lack of vocations is the absence of challenge. It is invariably difficult for a priest to preach about the necessity of vocations to the priesthood, as we are all acutely aware of our faults and shortcomings. Similarly, many lay Catholics hesitate to speak about their faith, feeling unworthy as examples.
Today, as we reflect on Christ as the Good Shepherd, we, as priests and people, call upon young men and those of all ages to consider undertaking the demanding, yet profoundly rewarding vocation of priesthood—a challenging path to follow, but one filled with love and purpose.
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