EASTER IV: Acts 2:14, 36-41; 1Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10

The Jews tell a beautiful legend about why God chose Moses to lead His people. One day, while tending the flock of his father-in-law in the wilderness, a young lamb wandered away. Moses followed it until he found it at a ravine, drinking from a well. When he reached it, he gently said, “I did not know you ran away because you were thirsty. Now you must be tired.” He lifted the lamb onto his shoulders and carried it back to the flock. Then God said, “Because you have shown compassion in caring for a lamb that was not even your own, you shall lead My people, Israel.”

This simple story captures the heart of what it means to be a shepherd: attentiveness, compassion, and a willingness to seek out and carry the weak. It is this same image that Jesus uses in today’s Gospel when He declares, “I am the Good Shepherd.”

A striking modern example of this shepherding spirit was seen in the life of Pope St. John Paul II. The evangelist Billy Graham once remarked of him, “He lived like his Master, the Good Shepherd, and he died like his Master, the Good Shepherd.” In those words, we hear the essence of Christian leadership and discipleship: to reflect Christ, who gives Himself completely for His flock.

Today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. It is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The Church invites us to reflect on God’s call in our lives and to pray for those who are called to serve as priests, deacons, and religious. Vocations are not just personal decisions; they are gifts given for the good of the entire community. Every member of the Church shares responsibility in fostering and supporting these calls.

The image of the shepherd runs throughout Scripture. In Psalm 23, we proclaim with confidence, “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” God is portrayed as the One who provides, guides, protects, and restores. The prophets echo this image: Isaiah speaks of God gathering lambs in His arms, while Ezekiel foretells that the Lord Himself will search for the lost, bring back the strayed, bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak. Again and again, God reveals Himself as a shepherd who is personally involved in the care of His people.

In today’s second reading, St. Peter reminds us that Jesus, the innocent sufferer, is the model for all who endure hardship. He calls Jesus the shepherd and guardian of our souls. Through His suffering, we have been brought back into relationship with God. Like sheep who had gone astray, we have been gathered again by the One who knows us and loves us.

In the Gospel, Jesus presents Himself not only as the shepherd but also as the gate for the sheep. These two images are deeply connected. As the shepherd, He knows His sheep, calls them by name, and leads them to safety. As the gate, He is the only way into the fold—the one path to salvation. “Whoever enters through me will be saved,” He says. This means that true life, true security, and true freedom are found only in relationship with Him.

At the same time, Jesus warns us about false shepherds—thieves and robbers who come not to care for the sheep, but to exploit and scatter them. These false voices are not always obvious. They can be subtle, persuasive, and even appealing. They tell us, “Everyone is doing this—why shouldn’t you?” or “Times have changed; you need to move on.” These voices invite us to compromise our values and drift away from the truth.

But Jesus tells us something important: His sheep know His voice. This means that, as believers, we are called to develop a deep familiarity with Christ—through prayer, Scripture, and the life of the Church—so that we can recognize what comes from Him and what does not. When we listen to His voice, we are led toward life, peace, and fulfillment. When we follow other voices, we often find ourselves lost, confused, and spiritually empty.

The image of the shepherd is not meant only for Christ. In a real sense, each of us is called to be a shepherd in our own sphere of life. Parents shepherd their children. Teachers guide their students. Priests care for their parishioners. Doctors, nurses, leaders, and caregivers—all are entrusted with the well-being of others.

To be a good shepherd means more than simply fulfilling a role. It means loving those entrusted to us, being attentive to their needs, protecting them from harm, and guiding them toward what is good and true. It requires sacrifice, patience, and a genuine concern for others. For parents especially, this responsibility is profound. By their example, their prayer, and their teaching, they shape not only the lives of their children but also their faith.

Ultimately, today’s Gospel invites us to reflect on two questions. First, are we truly listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd? In a world filled with noise and distraction, this requires intentional effort. Second, are we reflecting the heart of the Good Shepherd in the way we care for others?

Jesus assures us that He came so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. This abundant life is not found in following the crowd or chasing fleeting pleasures, but in walking closely with Him, trusting His guidance, and remaining within the safety of His fold.

Like the lamb carried by Moses, we too are often weak, wandering, and in need of care. Yet the Good Shepherd does not abandon us. He seeks us out, lifts us up, and brings us home.