May 03, 2009 Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 4:8-12; 1 Jn. 3:1-2; Jn. 10:11-18 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings: http://www.usccb.org/nab/050309.shtml                ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     Jesus tells us how the sheep know and respond to the voice of the shepherd. The sheep's very existence depends on the shepherd for protection, for sustenance, for guidance. To have Jesus as our shepherd is indeed a blessing. As he moves towards the cross, Jesus holds up this model of the good shepherd, reminding his listeners that a good shepherd would lay down his life for the sheep. He would give his life to protect the sheep from thieves, wild animals, or whatever danger might confront the flock. We can give him our allegiance because of his commitment to us.   His commitment to us is also a challenge to us. Just as Jesus commits his life for us, we are challenged to find a commitment worthy of our life, to move beyond the attitude of ‘What can I gain?’ to the attitude of ‘What can I give?’ When we act from love, it makes a tremendous difference.   Jesus draws the contrast between the shepherd with his great commitment and the hired hand. The contrast is between one who is committed for life and the one for the moment. We are called to care in the same way as the shepherd. Knowing we are accountable for what we have done for the least of these, our brothers and sisters. This giving of self is not only sacrifice but a willingness to put all of who we are in our commitments. The hired hand can walk away without a worry; the shepherd knows his very existence is dependent upon the sheep.   For the shepherd reflects not only commitment but care. Our lesson from John's Gospel tells us the good shepherd knows his sheep. We worship a God who knows each of us. He knows us, we're told, to the extent that the very hairs on our heads are numbered.   We are called to love in this same way, particularly for those who have no voice, those who need us to care for them. These would include the children in our homes, in our churches, in our communities. We who follow Christ, we who are the church, are called to show this care. The shepherd can show this commitment and care because he is clear what his core values are. The cross reminds us that he knew what he stood for, and there was no turning back from that commitment.     <<   Previous: Third Sunday of Easter  | Next: Fifth Sunday of Easter >>     Go Back to SERMONS (Year B)