Good Shepherds

May 11: Fourth Sunday of Easter

May 10, 2025

We see shepherds throughout the Bible. Moses was a shepherd, David (who wrote today’s Psalm) is a shepherd. Jesus, although likely a carpenter by trade, identified Himself as the Good Shepherd.

Last week, we heard Jesus tell Peter to tend to his flock. Just a few days ago, a new successor to St. Peter was elected to guide the Church, but Jesus’ instructions aren’t limited to the pope. All priests are called to be shepherds for their congregations, which is why today is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

Reading 1

Acts 13:14, 43-52

Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats. Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.

On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.”

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

This is part of Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey.1 Many people hadn’t heard of Jesus or the Gospel, yet. So, at first (prior to the above passage), many Jews and Gentiles appreciated the message. But when Paul and Barnabas were invited to speak on the sabbath, that was a bridge too far for some of the Jewish leadership.

They are God’s Chosen People, and thus, Paul offers them the Word first. But once it’s been rejected, Paul offers it freely to all, as he should. Even when they’re kicked out of town, Paul and Barnabas shake it off and keep going. That’s the kind of joy in the face of adversity we should all aspire to.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5

R.(3c) We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Like Paul above, the Psalmist calls all people to worship God, while still acknowledging Israel’s special place as the Chosen People.

Reading 2

Rev 7:9, 14b-17

I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

Then one of the elders said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

“For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

The Gospel is open to anyone, regardless of their origin, but that doesn’t mean life will be easy. We’ll all face challenges. But no matter how great the distress, Jesus, the Lamb of God, is waiting for us on the other side.

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Jn 10:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

We are blessed to be part of Jesus’ flock.

Gospel

Jn 10:27-30

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

As I said in the into, there were many shepherds in the Bible, but not all of them were good. None of them were perfect. That’s one reason God became man—to be a shepherd to His people.

But the act of incarnation didn’t take away His divinity, which is why we believe in the Trinity—three persons in one God. “The Father and I are one.”

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