“My Sheep hear my Voice”
Meditation
for Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C
(Acts 13:14,
43-52; Rev 7:9, 14-17; Jn 10:27-30)
Today, we celebrate the mystery of Christ as the Good
Shepherd. The first reading exemplifies how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, silently
leads His flock through the ministry of the Church. Paul and Barnabas met strict
persecution in Antioch among the Jews, who became jealous of the Gentiles that
gathered to hear the good news. But the two would not give up the mission Christ
had called them to; no opposition would discourage them. As Jesus said in the Gospel
of today, “My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Paul
and Barnabas held firm to the word of God, and to the mission that was
entrusted to them. Paul described this mandate as to bring the good news to the
Gentiles, and to bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth. By being
obedient to the word of God, and following Jesus as their Good Shepherd through
their commitment to the gospel, the opposition against Paul and Barnabas even
helped them to achieve their mission since they travelled down to Iconium, filled
with joy and the Holy Spirit.
The revelation of John in the second reading gives us the
vision of the great multitude who listened and followed Jesus as their Good
Shepherd. This vision indicates the direction to which the Good Shepherd is
leading us to. Thus, to follow Him requires that we align our steps towards
that heavenly destination. The great multitude is described as coming from every
nation, language and people. They all gathered before the throne and the Lamb,
who is their only focus. United under the Lamb, they all wore white robes and
held palm branches. Their radiant beauty speaks of their victory over tribulations;
“They have washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Unlike Paul and Barnabas, who suffered persecution, those
who have reached the heavenly destination around the throne shall bear no more
suffering and pain. At this time, the fullness of the Lamb as the Good Shepherd
shall be revealed upon them. “He will guide them to springs of living water;
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
That is why it is important for us today to listen to His
voice. He promised to lead us on the pathway of life, and to fullness of life.
Jesus indicated that the sheep might face threat to life; an attempt to snatch
them away and be destroyed. However, those who listen to His voice, and follow
Him cannot be misled; they are secure in the Father’s hand. Therefore, through
the words of Jesus, the strong arm of God leads us forward over and above every
difficulty and life challenges.
Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice.” Like Paul and
Barnabas, and the Saints in Heaven, we contemplate the face of Jesus through
the Gospel. In this way, our minds are fed with His word, and our will is
strengthened to follow where He leads. This is how we persevere in our vocation
and in good works despite opposition and tribulations along the way. This, too,
is how we reach our eternal destination. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday May 8th, 2022.
Good Shepherd Sunday
