Reflection on 4th Sunday of Easter Year A

 

God is good — all the time.

Today, on this very special Fourth Sunday, we gather to pray especially for those who have embraced the religious and priestly vocations. We are blessed to have many jewels in this parish who have said “yes” to God’s call. Thank you for your generous embrace of religious life. We also pray today for Father Binoy and for all priests and religious in our diocese. After every Mass here we pray for vocations — and I believe that prayer is bearing fruit: we have several ordinations planned for this year and eleven ordinations coming next year. That is a cause for great joy.

We live in a time when vocations have declined drastically. Many do not enter the priesthood or religious life, and sometimes we do not promote or encourage these paths as we should. Even if we lack personnel to send, our primary duty is to pray. Pray that those called may persevere in the holy vocation they have received. When I reflect on my own vocation, I know it is only by God’s grace that I stand here. I am no different from you — human, fragile, fearful at times — yet the Lord anointed me as a priest and gave me the responsibility to shepherd His people.

There were moments when I faced danger and even death, such as the time I battled sepsis. God protected me because He still needs shepherds in this world. So my plea to you is simple: pray for vocations, and welcome the religious and priests into your family. Recognize that we share your struggles; we are human too. What sustains us more than anything is your prayer. Keep praying for us so we may persevere.

My personal prayer is this: “Lord, you have blessed me with this holy vocation — let me die as a priest.” That is the deep longing of my heart, knowing who we are called to be in Christ.

Today’s Gospel presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd and as the door. He is the gate through which salvation comes. If we enter through Him, we receive eternal life. Jesus alone came down from heaven, returned to the Father, and lives — and through Him we are offered salvation. In a pluralistic world where other religions exist, this truth can be difficult to speak. Yet Jesus is unique: the one who opened the door to heaven.

As shepherd, Jesus leads us. A shepherd walks in front to lead the flock to green pastures and safe places. The sheep do not always see the destination; they must trust the one who knows the way. If a sheep refuses to follow and lingers over a little patch of grass, it may face danger or lose the fuller nourishment the shepherd intends. So we are called to focus on the Shepherd, even when the journey seems unclear or difficult. Trust that He knows the way and will lead us to the right place at the right time.

The shepherd also watches from behind, protecting the flock, giving courage and hope. He is among the sheep, attentive to each one’s needs, ready to help. That closeness and care is the heart of Christ’s pastoral love.

Ask yourself: Am I following the true Shepherd in my life? Do I accept Jesus as the Master of my life, or do I build comforts for myself that keep me from following Him? God has prepared abundant pastures for each of us. Let us walk with the Shepherd toward the eternal home He has opened.

I am reminded of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” I was moved yesterday by a young confirmation student who, after preparing for confirmation, proclaimed that the Holy Spirit has come upon him and that he will no longer live in fear. He trusted that the Lord is his support. The Holy Spirit is given to strengthen us to accept Jesus as our Shepherd.

If you have not yet accepted Christ as your shepherd, ask for the grace of the Holy Spirit to open your heart. Let us keep our eyes fixed on the Shepherd and walk together toward the kingdom He has prepared.

Let us pray for vocations, for perseverance of the priests and religious among us, and for the grace to follow Jesus faithfully. May God bless us all. Amen.