Fourth Sunday after Easter, Cycle C, April29th, 2007

Scripture: Acts 13:14,43-52; Psalm 100; Revelation 7:9,14-17. John
10:27-30:

Today we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday. The readings fit this celebration
perfectly for all of them contain ideas that make us think of Jesus as our
Shepherd. God also is a shepherd throughout salvation history; this is
confirmed many times in our readings from the Acts of the Apostles. We may
even be led to think of the Holy
Spirit involved in the protection and strength given to shepherds or
pastors who care for the flock, that is, the Christian communities
throughout the world. Jesus, likens himself to God in shepherding. He is
God's Son and Apostle who is sent to shepherd us. He tells us, "My sheep
hear my voice. I know them and they follow me." In the Acts we see two of
the apostles who shepherd the Gentiles, our ancestors in the faith. They
bring in these many diverse nations and peoples through the example of
Jesus and his words and through the comfort and presence of the Holy
Spirit. Our Psalm response tells us, "We are God's people, the sheep of
his flock." Then in the vision given to us in Revelation, John of Patmos
writes on the scroll, "...the lamb at the center of the throne will be
their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." The Gospel Acclamation
proclaims the same message, "I am the Good Shepherd says the Lord; I know
my sheep and mine know me." Jesus assures us that no one can snatch us
for we are his sheep, the flock of God's people. "And we are all that
special someone called to watch over our beloved, and that includes all
humankind. A precious gift indeed." Amen! (Patrick Doyle, Novalis. "Living
with Christ," April 2007, p.125).