Sunday, May 03, 2020 - Fourth Sunday of Easter Time - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St. John 10, 1-10 - I am the Good Shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.

This Fourth Sunday of Easter Time is Good Shepherd Sunday, where we pray especially for vocations: for the clergy, for the consecrated life and for all the baptized faithful. Jesus is the Good Shepherd announced by the Gospel, and it is He Himself who qualifies Himself so that we may take our example from Him. The Good Shepherd loves his flock unconditionally and this love is expressed in humility, service and self-giving. This Gospel reveals three natures of Jesus to be taken as an example for all pastors:

Calling the sheep by name: this reveals that he knows them all without exception and that he is close to them. Intimate people call each other by name. Jesus calls each of us by name, are we inclined to listen to him, to respond to him? And do we call Him every day, as often as possible, to express our attachment to Him?

Leading the ewes to green pasture: it is the shepherd's duty to take care of his flock. It is his duty to feed and care for and satisfy the ewes. And those he has taken care of, he gives them the mission to do the same. This is what the Pope, the temporal shepherd, does. He urges us to go out and not to withdraw into ourselves.

Walking ahead as a scout: it is not only a matter of taking the step and pointing the way, but also of protecting the flock and in case of danger he sacrifices himself to spare the sheep: this is the very meaning of the paschal mystery. The father asks the bishops to be at the same time in front to lead, in the middle to know and behind the sheep to supervise.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, He is also the door to the sheep. He confirms this, moreover, in the first chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John: "God, no one has ever seen him; the only Son, he who is God, he who is in the bosom of the Father, it is he who made him known". Jesus is both the door and the way. Likewise in chapter six: "no one goes to the Father unless he passes through me". We must therefore maintain a close relationship with Jesus in order to reach the Father.

Let us pray especially for our pastors, those who have the responsibility of caring for Christ's flock, that they may take example from Christ the Good Shepherd and that we may all be sheep docile to their guidance.