May 11, 2025・4th Sunday of Easter ( C )

Acts 13.14,43-52;・Psalm 100.1+2, 3ab, 5・Revelation 7.9,14b-17・ John 10.27-30

Pulling a little backward from our Gospel account today, we have Jesus identifying Himself as “Good Shepherd.” As a Shepherd in confidence, He (the Shepherd) knows the sheep, and assumes at the same time that the sheep knows Him (confer John 10.11,14). We gather today to celebrate the ongoing relationship and the intimacy between the Good Shepherd and the sheepfold. So we celebrate a Good Shepherd Sunday. We are invited to rejuvenate our knowledge/understanding about the promise of eternal life and about the truth that no one can separate us from the love of Jesus.

In almost a 3-week long reflection about the life of the Apostles of Jesus after His (Jesus`) Resurrection, we are learning about their fidelity to and continuity of spreading the Word of God despite their experience of persecution, and inconvenience, in which in our readings today and maybe jealousy from others who consider themselves knowledgeable about God but full of contradictions regarding the truth about Jesus being taught by the Apostles (Paul & Barnabas specifically).

The experience of Apostles about different forms of persecutions and their perseverance to continue to spread the Good News speaks about how they (the Apostles) have developed strong alliance and deeper relationship with Jesus (described through the sheep and Good Shepherd relationship).

When in many times we find our own selves our own enemy, as well as when we are being discouraged by other people around us and situations/environment we live in,  we are reminded of the encouragement of the Apostles to truly listen, follow and remain faithful to Jesus` shepherding.  

In our special prayer intentions today, let us include those who are losing motivation in responding to God`s call in serving our Church and neighbors. They can be those who have wandered away from “faith-ing” maybe because of various human experiences preventing them to see clearly the unseparable relationship that our Good Shepherd is telling us.