Reflection
on Acts 2, 14a, 36-41; 1Pt 2, 20b-25; Jn 10: 1-10
We are celebrating the
Good Shepherd's Sunday and the Prayer Day for Vocations. We want to thank God
for the gift of vocations and ask him to continue blessing his Church with many
and holy vocations. The proposal of this Sunday comes from the Holy Father Paul
VI. He invited the whole Church to assume the commitment of praying for the
sake of the vocations. Praying for Vocations is also obedience to Jesus’
invitation to pray the Owner of the harvest to send workers into his harvest,
because the harvest is big, but the workers are few (cf Mt 10.37s). The
vocation is a gift of God and also praying for this intention is his gift. This
is the concretization of our baptism. The vocation begins in the family and the
one who calls is waiting for a generous response from those who are called.
In the first reading,
the apostles proclaimed with enthusiasm the mystery of Christ's Passover,
through the power of God, as an invitation to change life. The strength of
their words comes from the Holy Spirit who acts in the lives of those who were
listening to bring them to repentance and conversion. For the first disciples
every moment was a new opportunity to proclaim the new life Jesus gave to all,
even “to those who are far off and to all those whom the Lord our God will
call”. Christ is the fullness of God’s promises and through Him, the people are
sure to find salvation. He has made us to become the children of God and has
invited us to have a good relationship with God as sheep with their shepherd.
By following his example, we can do good to others and keep unity among us.
Jesus is the Good
Shepherd because he loves his sheep and is ready to give His life for them. He
knows his sheep and invites them to hear his voice that guides them to find
true life. The relationship between the Father and the Son is the reference for
the relationship between Jesus and his flock. The Jesus’ freedom to give his
life for his flock is an evidence of his love. He uses this image to explain
his relationship with his disciples. It is a relationship based on mutual
trust, in tenderness, and it gives full meaning to the life of the disciples.
As he knows his disciples, he hopes that they also may know him and follow his
teachings. The lack of intimacy with the voice of the shepherd is dangerous
because it can lead to the division of the group and the loss of the disciples
identity. Jesus’ way of taking care is the measure for who has the
responsibility to guide people.
Jesus is the door to
the right relationship between the people and God. We can understand this door
by using its own revelation as “way, truth, and life.” First, Jesus is the way that leads to the Father; His
presence guarantees a true encounter with God. Second, Jesus is the truth of God to humankind and the whole
truth of humankind to God; “He who is of the truth listens to his voice” (Jn
18, 37) and allows him to be brought by him to the full truth. Jesus is the
life that is freely given because people can have a worthy life. In Jesus, the
Good Shepherd, God shows his protection and care for his people. Whoever
opposes the voice of Jesus opposes doing the will of God and living a
relationship of love with him. The answer he expects to his invitation these
days is the attention to his inspiration so that we can act wisely in all
circumstances.
Jesus is the Good
Shepherd because he knows the needs of his sheep and knows how to look after
them. There is no other thing he desires for his flock except abundant and full
life. Our vocation finds its realization when we recognise the voice of the
Lord among the many voices that try to guide us. Through his word, the
sacraments and the teaching of our shepherds, the Good Shepherd Jesus continues
guiding and nourishing his flock. We are encouraged to lead in the spirit of docility and communion.
However, we also have, through the baptism, the responsibility to help the shepherds
to do their mission well. We are invited to act as the first disciples who took
their vocation with joy and enthusiasm for the good of the People of God , who
is the flock of Jesus.
Fr Ndega
English review: Christine Kariuki
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