Today is the fourth Sunday of Easter usually called Good Shepherd Sunday because the gospel for this Sunday always focuses on Jesus as a shepherd. It also is the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations for which Our Holy Father, Pope Leo chose The Interior Discovery of God’s Gift as the theme.
Jesus
established the mission of the Church when he commanded the Apostles to “Go,
therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28: 19 – 20).
With
By our baptism and confirmation each one of
us, in fact every Christian, is called to witness to the truth and proclaim the
good news of the Gospel. Every Christian
is called to put Jesus Christ at the center of their life. And every Christian has a responsibility to
nurture and encourage vocations in the young men and women who may wish to
dedicate themselves to full-time service bringing about the Kingdom of
Heaven. We need good shepherds. In his Message for the 63rd World Day of
Prayer for Vocations, Our Holy Father Pope Leo reminds us that “The Lord of
life knows us and enlightens our hearts with his loving
gaze.” Indeed, every vocation begins with the awareness and
experience of a God who is love (cf. 1 Jn 4:16). He knows us
profoundly; he has counted the hairs of our head (cf. Mt 10:30)
and has envisaged for each person a unique path of holiness and service. Yet
this awareness must always be reciprocal. We are invited to know God through
prayer, listening to the Word, the Sacraments, the life of the Church and works
of charity for our brothers and sisters.”
At the end of today’s gospel from John
10:1-10, Jesus tells the disciples and us that He “came so that [we, the sheep]
might have life and have it more abundantly.”
This abundance is not for a minute or a day. It is an abundance that extends throughout
our lives. Pope Leo tells us that, “A
vocation, therefore, is not an immediate possession — something “given” once
and for all. Instead, it is a path that unfolds much like life itself. The gift
we have received must not only be protected but also nourished by a daily
relationship with God in order to grow and bear fruit. “This is helpful, since
it situates our whole life in relation to the God who loves us. It makes us realize
that nothing is the result of pure chance but that everything in our lives can
become a way of responding to the Lord, who has a wonderful plan for us.”
Loving God, You speak to us and nourish us
through the life of this Church community.
In the name of Jesus, we ask you to
send your Spirit to us so that men and
women among us, young and old,
will respond to your call to service and
leadership in the Church. We pray
especially, in our day, for those who
hear your invitation to be a priest, sister, or brother.
May those who are opening their
hearts and minds to your call be
encouraged and strengthened
through our enthusiasm in your
service.
Amen.
