Following the Voice ~ Fourth Sunday of Easter

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 13:14, 43-52

Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5

Rev 7:9, 14b-17

Jn 10:27-30

On this Sunday, John the Evangelist again speaks of Jesus as a good shepherd.  One who cares for his sheep and whose voice is recognized by the sheep he leads.  The sheep follow him because they know his voice and trust him...  The good shepherd rewards this trust by being watchful for danger and by taking care of his sheep; feeding them and searching for them when they wander off.  He will keep them safe...

Jesus tells us that we are to believe in him, to trust him and to follow him, for his voice speaks the words of eternal life.  He feeds us with his Body and Blood in Holy Communion and if we happen to wander off, Jesus searches for us, sends his Holy Spirit to guide us and to bring us home again.

In the First Reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas have become shepherds to the Gentiles of Antioch, who with much joy came to believe and trust the Good News that Paul and Barnabas taught.  They listened to the voice of these Apostles, and from them, the Good News spread through the whole region.

We can take consolation in the psalmist's words as he praises the Lord whom he trusts and whose kindness and faithfulness endures forever.  He acknowledges that "...the Lord is God; he made us, his we are, his people, the flock he tends."  We believe that too... and thank God for it.



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