One Shepherd, One Flock

Listening to the Spirit

Lord Jesus, you died to save all men and founded the Church to continue your work of redemption on earth: increase the numbers of those who preach the Gospel. Intensify their zeal and sanctify their work, so that those who are still without faith may soon come to know you on earth and love you for ever in heaven. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Listening to the Word

Jn 10:11-18

Jesus said:

"I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father."

Reflection

The fourth Sunday of Easter is a special day of prayer for vocations based on the theme of the Good Shepherd. The Gospel reminds us that Jesus is the 'Good Shepherd' who laid down his life for his sheep. His mission, given by the Father, is to create one flock. This mission didn't end with Jesus, but He passed it on to His disciples. The Act of the Apostles, read during the Easter season, describes their missionary commitment to expanding the Good Shepherd's flock to the whole world.

This Gospel has a particular missionary resonance. It empowers the missionary zeal of creating one shepherd and one flock. St. Guido M. Conforti, the founder of the Xaverian missionaries, commented on this Gospel in his address on the departure of Frs. P. Pelerzi and Tissot, on June 25, 1926. He said: "The Gospel tells us that, one day, Jesus looked at the small flock of faithful around him and said: I have other sheep too that are not of this fold, and these too I must lead; they will hear my voice and there will be one fold and one shepherd. These fervent words of the divine Savior, which reveal all his love for the salvation of souls, found an echo in the hearts of generous people who were ready to answer the divine call." The witness of numerous missionaries through all the Church's history has made possible the expansion of God's flock. For this reason, on this day, we pray for them. We pray especially so that the Lord may call more generous people to take care and expand His flock.

Five hundred years ago, missionaries brought the faith to the Philippines and became part of the Good Shepherd's flock. Now it's the time for Filipinos to share this gift so that many others will know Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and the world may become one flock.