St Paul says that God “chose us
before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight in
love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ,
according to the good pleasure of his will” (Eph 1:4-5). Created in God’s image and
likeness, we are called to live in love with God and one another. And God gave
man the mandate to increase and multiply, and to work and conquer the earth.
All these must fulfill God’s plan for us in Christ even before the foundation of
world. Every vocation germinates from our vocation in Christ to be holy and spotless.
Therefore, Jesus said, “Truly, truly,
I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves
and robbers…I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will
go in and out and find pasture.” So, Jesus is the way… (Jn 14:6). In Him we live
and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). He has given us the pattern of how to
lead and carry out our vocations. That is why when they asked Peter in the
first reading, “What shall we do?” He said, “Repent, and be baptized every oneof you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Thus, the Holy Spirit, working
through faith in Jesus Christ, leads us forward to discover our vocations and
to carry them out diligently and humbly like the good shepherd.
The second reading describes how
Jesus leads us as the Good Shepherd, leaving us an example to follow in His
steps. The first quality mentioned there is innocence. The Good Shepherd must
be upright. He does not take revenge nor threaten anyone; “But He trusted to
Him who judges justly.” Thus, He does not waste time judging or condemning anyone.
He endures suffering for the good of others, creating opportunities for them to
flourish, even to eternal life. “For you were straying like sheep, but have now
returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Sunday 30, 2023.
