4th Sunday of Easter, Year A (Good Shepherd Sunday): Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Shepherds After the Example of Christ

Readings: Acts 2:14a,36-41; 1 Pet. 2:20b-25; Jn. 10:1-10 

Dear friends in Christ, today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday—also known as Vocations Sunday. In the readings, the Church presents to us the image of Christ the Good Shepherd, the perfect model of true leadership. Jesus is the Shepherd of our lives: He knows each of us by name, protects us from the evil one, and lays down His life for our salvation. In the second reading, St Peter reminds us that Christ, the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, has given us an example to follow through His love and sacrifice on the cross.

Therefore, the Church invites us to turn our minds to Christ and learn from Him the qualities of authentic leadership—whether in the family, in the Church, or in society. True shepherds care for those entrusted to them, protect them from harm, provide for their material, moral, and spiritual needs, and build relationships of love and trust.

Today, the Church also calls us to pray for vocations. Our prayers should not be limited to priestly and religious vocations; we must also pray for genuine vocations to family life and to every form of service that promotes the good of humanity.

This invitation to rediscover the qualities of true leadership is crucial because we live in a world where many leaders have forgotten—or misunderstood—the meaning of shepherding. Too often, leaders feed on the people instead of caring for them. We see thieves and looters in government and other sectors of society. We see family leaders who no longer take the spiritual and moral formation of their children seriously. We see Church leaders who have lost touch with Christ’s pattern of leadership.

A teacher once told his young students that he was their shepherd and they were his flock. He then asked them what a shepherd does for his flock. One child innocently replied, “The shepherd kills his sheep whenever there is a feast.” This simple answer reveals how distorted the concept of shepherding has become in our world.

In the Old Testament, to be a leader, king, or ruler meant to be a shepherd. Psalm 23, which we read today, beautifully depicts God as our Shepherd. Moses acted as a shepherd when he led Israel out of slavery: he fought for them, provided for them, and constantly sought their good. Many judges and kings followed this example, seeing themselves as servants. But over time, the idea of servant-leadership disappeared and was replaced by the mentality of rulers as lords. Leadership became a master–slave relationship. For this reason, God pronounced woes against the leaders of Israel through the prophets Jeremiah (23:1–8) and Ezekiel (34:1–15).

Today’s Gospel is Christ’s effort to restore the true meaning of leadership. A leader must be a shepherd—not one who destroys the flock, but one who cares for them and builds a relationship of love and trust. Jesus highlights several qualities of a true shepherd.

First, the shepherd enters through the gate, not by climbing over the fence. This means a true leader must be a person of integrity, openness, and transparency. Only someone with something to hide enters secretly.

Second, the sheep hear the shepherd’s voice and follow him because they trust him. Trust is essential in leadership. If the shepherd’s voice sometimes sounds like that of a wolf, the sheep will not follow. Leaders must earn trust through honesty and consistency. Parents must also earn the trust of their children; without trust, children will not listen to their guidance.

Third, the good shepherd calls his sheep by name. This implies closeness. A leader who is close to his people understands their struggles and knows how to make a positive impact. Parents who stay close to their children contribute meaningfully to their growth and wellbeing.

Fourth, the good shepherd leads his flock and goes before them. He guides them to green pastures and protects them from danger. A good leader seeks the well-being of those entrusted to him—materially, morally, and spiritually. He watches over them so that no harm comes to them. Like Christ, every leader should act as a door that protects the people under his care. If people cannot feel safe with their leader, that leader has failed in his primary duty.

Finally, like Christ, a true leader gives life to those under his care—and gives it abundantly. He provides for their needs, even at personal cost. Sacrifice is the mark of good leadership and good parenting. Parents must remember that their children’s needs are not only material; their spiritual and moral needs must also be nurtured.

In the second reading, St Peter refers to Christ as the Good Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, who suffered for His flock and left us an example to follow. In the first reading, we see Peter acting as a good shepherd by preaching the Good News to the lost sheep of Israel, correcting their errors, and leading them back to the sheepfold through baptism.

As we celebrate this Mass, let us pray for the grace to be true shepherds in our various roles—in the Church, in our families, and in society. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to learn from Christ the qualities of a good leader.

Peace be with you, and have a blessed Sunday.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 4^th Sunday of Easter, Yr A (Good Shepherd Sunday): Reflection by Fr. Julian Ekeh

THEME: CHRIST THE GOOD SHEPHERED AND WE

(John 10:1-10)

The Universal Church today, the fourth Sunday of Eastertide calls to mind Jesus, the good Shepherd. We are invited therefore to be both good sheep and good shepherds as the case may be in our various capacities. We are called to appreciate the efforts of our various good shepherds at various levels and also invited to encourage those who are called to be shepherds especially of souls to answer their calls and live up to the required expectations even with the accompanying crucibles.

Who is a good shepherd?

Shepherds are common among the Jews. Livestock business, farming and fishing are the main occupations of the Palestinian regions at the time of Jesus. Little wonder He centered his teachings around these well-known realities to make  them to be well rooted and understood by His audience. In His parables, we will hear Him talk about the landowner, making the apostles Fishers of men and today Himself as the Good Shepherd.

They were conversant with shepherds but there is a novelty: The Good. What makes one a good shepherd? Is the big question. Jesus knew this will be running in their minds and so He differentiates between the Shepherd and the thief. Thus, implying that if one is not a good shepherd he is not worthy of the name Shepherd. Jesus says, the thief comes only to steal, to kill and to destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Sheep and shepherd here are figuratively used. Jesus used them to express ‘leading’ and ‘following’ in the Church, in the society, in the family and wherever we find ourselves.

Do we have life giving shepherds in our society today or thieves? They are thieves if they rigged themselves into the positions they are occupying. They are thieves if they have no due process in their dictionaries. They are thieves if   they are insensitive to the feelings of those they claim to be leading. They are thieves if they do not know the voice of their people and their plights. They are thieves if they milk them instead of feeding them. They are thieves if they are opportunist and insincere.They are thieves if the people run away from them. They are thieves if they are afraid of the people. They are thieves if the people will stone them when opportunity permits. They are thieves if they fail to carry the weak sheep. They are thieves if during elections they can move into any part of the village for campaigns but will not be there for them in times of danger. They are thieves if they use the resources from the sheepfold for their selfish gains. They are thieves if their children cannot study in the same university with those they lead. They are thieves if they cannot provide adequate healthcare for the people the lead. They are thieves if they do not feel the pain of the sheep in their care.

Jesus comes not as a thief but as a Shepherd. He enters through the gate. He is known by the sheep. They know His signs. They know when to move and when to stay. They listen because He is harmless. They feel safe because the Shepherd does not sleep. He does not slumber. He teaches them how to keep away from the enemy. He is proactive. He doesn't wait for the danger to strike before He acts. His actions are timely. He corrects whoever that is at fault. He is impartial. He doesn't make distinction in rewards or blames. He is there for everyone. He is objective. He honors Peter when he does well and reprimands him when he misbehaves. He leads the sheep lovingly. He clears all their doubts. He earns their trust. He does not force himself on them. They naturally follow Him. They follow because He cares about them. He doesn't give them anything in half measures. He gives them abundantly. He gives them life in full. He fights with the enemy to the point of even losing His life that His Sheep may be spared. That is the good Shepherd. The picture of the good Shepherd is the picture of Jesus on the Cross. He accepts death that His sheep may be safe.

We all are sheep and shepherds.

This is true. At one time or the other we are either sheep or a Shepherd. Whichever one we are at any point in time what should define us is goodness. The Shepherd should shepherd well and the sheep should follow well. Failure to lead well will put a blame on the shepherd. Failure to follow well will make the sheep a bad one.

In the society we have the public ministers as shepherds. Until they see themselves as servants of the masses and make their interests their priority they will never be good shepherds.

In the Church, the shepherds of souls, the bishops and priests should be worthy of the name. They should, like Jesus care for the souls entrusted to them and feed them with truth and not sweet lies. They should bandage the wounds of the weak sheep and not inflict injuries on them. They should console the afflicted followers with love and take them to Jesus Christ. They should reach out for the strayed. The eternal life of their followers should be of paramount importance to them.

In the families, the parents are the shepherds of the children given them by God. How have you been shepherding your children? Do you only care about giving them food and other provisions and leaving them at the mercy of their teachers? Make out time to be with them. Nourish them with good morals. Be a living example they should follow. Give them values that will follow them all through life. Children should as well follow, listen and heed the shepherding voices that guides their vocations in life. They should in a very special way ensure they seek the voice of God in order to be good shepherds of tomorrow either in the Church or in the society. Through a proper guidance of the young today, the world will be led out of darkness and death into life.

Over and above all, let us all look upon Christ the good shepherd. Let us follow where he leads. When we follow him we will have nothing to fear even though we walk through the valleys of the shadow of death. Let us pray also that our political shepherds may lead us along the right path, that they may be guided aright, that they may not lead us into wars but into true peace and order. That they may not be discouraged. May God help us to follow His life-giving paths and become life givers ourselves through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Good Shepherd Sunday

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh