The Easter appearances reveal the Resurrection as a transforming joy that can be shared through the power of Jesus\u2019 sacramental presence as Word, as broken Body, and as loving Friend. We now explore other aspects of his risen life. The news that Jesus, who was crucified, is now both Lord and Christ is so powerful that those who listened to Peter\u2019s sermon were cut to the heart and asked what they should do. Peter assured them that the promise is for all whom the Lord our God calls to himself. This is the authentic voice that calls us, and like the voice of a shepherd, those who belong to him hear his voice, for he goes ahead of them, and they follow this unique and trustworthy call.<\/p>\n
Today we are reminded that a shepherd is both guide and leader, and so the Fourth Sunday of Easter is called \u201cVocation Sunday,\u201d a day of special prayer for those who are shepherds in the Church. We know that there is only one true Shepherd, Jesus. We are his flock. He is our Good Shepherd: his voice can be trusted, and his guidance is sure. He leads us to true safety and defends us from all harm. He is the shepherd of our destiny, the one who fulfills the prophecy of the suffering servant of Isaiah, taking upon himself the sufferings of others. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He shows us the way through the dark mysteries of life\u2019s sorrows. His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, until we dwell in the house of the Lord forever.<\/p>\n
Like the early believers, many of us know sorrow and suffering and have gone astray like sheep. Saint Peter encourages us to return to the shepherd and guardian of our souls so that we may truly belong to his flock. Those who belong to him recognize his voice. Jesus is also the gate; whoever wishes to reach his sheep must go through him. Let us listen attentively to his voice, follow him with trust, and pray especially today for vocations in the Church, that many may respond generously to his call and lead others closer to him.<\/p>\n
Scripture Readings: The Easter appearances reveal the Resurrection as a transforming joy that can be shared through the power of Jesus\u2019 sacramental presence as Word, as broken Body, and as loving Friend. We now explore other aspects of his risen life. The news that Jesus, who was crucified, is now both Lord and Christ is so powerful that those who listened to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3499","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-weekly-homilies"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/strong>Acts 2:14, 36-41 \u2022 Ps 22 \u2022 1 Pt 2:20\u201325 \u2022 Jn 10:1\u201310<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"