HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR A (The Vocation Sunday) (7)

HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR A (The Vocation Sunday)

THEME: I am the gate of the sheepfold.( The Sunday of the Good Shepherd).

BY: FR. DEOTATIOUS CHIKONTWE SMA.

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Acts 2:14,36-41
Psalm 22
1 Peter 2:20-25
John 10:1-10

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
WHITE

*INTRODUCTION*
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Easter. This Sunday in a special way, is called the Good Shepherd Sunday. It is because the readings used talk about the Good Shepherd who is Jesus Christ, ready to lay down His life for us, ready to defend life, ready to spread life, ready to give His whole life for His sheep everyday. A true leader models his/her leadership on the Good Shepherd.

*ABOUT OUR FIRST READING*
In our first reading today from *Acts 2:14, 36-41* : Peter stands up with the eleven apostles and addresses the crowd, declaring that the events they are witnessing are the fulfillment of prophecy. Then he preaches about Jesus Christ, calling on the crowd to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins, leading to the conversion and baptism of about three thousand people.

*ABOUT OUR SECOND READING*
In our first reading, from *1st Peter 2:20-25* : Peter exhorts Christians to endure suffering patiently, even when it is unjust, because Christ himself suffered for their sake and left them an example to follow. Peter emphasizes that Christ’s suffering was redemptive, and that through his wounds, believers are healed and brought back to God, who is like a shepherd caring for his sheep.

*ABOUT OUR GOSPEL READING*
In our gospel passage of today from *John 10:1-10* : Jesus uses the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep to describe his relationship with his followers. He claims to be the gate for the sheep and the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for them, contrasting himself with those who are thieves and robbers, who come only to steal and destroy.

*WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE SUNDAY OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD ?*

1.The first theme we learn today is that; Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The gospel today emphasizes Jesus’ love for his followers and his willingness to protect and guide them through life.

2. The second theme we learn is the relationship between Jesus and his followers; todays liturgy emphasizes the intimate relationship between Jesus and his sheep, and the idea that they are able to recognize and trust him because of their close connection. This theme emphasizes the importance of personal relationship with Jesus for those who follow him.

3. The third theme we learn is that; today is Vocations Sunday.This Sunday reminds us that the most fundamental call that come to us in life is the call of the Lord.

*CONCLUSION*
Dear friends in Christ, the Lord calls each of us to be a good shepherd in some shape or form to others. Each of us has some responsibility for some little flock of our own, whether we are married or ordained or a religious or a single person. Each of us is responsible for someone or for some others. The Lord will be calling us to give of ourselves in love to those we are responsible for, and, thereby, to experience something of that fullness of life the Lord wants for us. Our fundamental vocation is to be a loving and caring people, with a mind through which the good Shepherd thinks, a heart through which he loves, a voice through which he speaks and hands through which he works.

May you all have a Blessed Good Shepherd Sunday.

Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.

FOR MORE HOMILIES CLICK >>>>>>