VOCATION SUNDAY

IV EASTER SUNDAY - John 10:11-18

The word vocation - from Latin - means being called and can be used in a great variety of ways. We may speak  of our calling to life and our calling to faith. We speak of our Christian vocation and of our vocation to holiness. The vocation to holiness is addressed to all, without exception.

In the Catholic Church, this Sunday is called Vocation Sunday, being the Sunday in which we hear Jesus presenting himself as the Good Shepherd and in which we pray for vocations in the Church.  

Jesus is the the Good Shepherd, who takes good care of his flock and is ready to give his life for his sheep. All those called to the ministry in the Church must look to Jesus as the role model, putting themselves at the service of the community. In times of crisis and difficulty, they must not abandon the people they serve and run away, but must be prepared to share their plight,  being a source of hope, guided by the example of Jesus.

Today, we must pray for all people in leadership, in the Church, in the community and in the country, so that they may always remember their calling to service. Leadership is not power, but service; and when it stops being service, then it becomes oppressive and it leads to exploitation. 

May the Lord put a spirit of service in the hearts of all people in positions of leadership, so that they may care for the good of the people entrusted to them.