CALLED TO BE GOOD SHEPHERDS

IV EASTER SUNDAY - John 10:11-18

Jesus presents himself as the good shepherd “who lays down his life for his sheep” and he points out the difference between a shepherd and a hired man. The hired man only thinks of his wages and cares little for the sheep. He will not risk his life to guarantee the safety of the flock. When he sees the wolf coming, he runs away and abandons the sheep, leaving them at the mercy of the predators. Jesus cares about his own and is ready to give up his life for them. He put his life at the service of others, being a role model for all those who are called to do a service for the others.

It is not surprising that the Church dedicates this Sunday for a reflection on vocation, asking the community to pray for the vocations. There are many and different vocations. Whenever we dedicate ourselves to do something for the service of others and see it as the accomplishment of a mission, then we are following a vocation. And that is different from having a job. Nowadays, some people get jobs just for the sake of money. They are like mercenaries: they only care about their lives and the money they can earn. However, when we do something with all heart and mind, putting ourselves at the service of others, then we have a vocation. And we feel good about it because it leads us to get the best of ourselves. It leads us to fulfilment and to happiness.

The first reading presents Peter explaining to the Sanhedrin, how the lame had been healed. Peter stated clearly that it was in the name of Jesus. But this physical healing was a sign of a much greater cure. And Peter proclaimed the message that has been proclaimed from generation to generation: "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). In his letter to the Romans, Paul would say: "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Rom 10,13). Later, in the letter to the Philippians, he had to say the same, but in a more solemn way: 

God “bestowed on him the name 

that is above every name, 

so that at the name of Jesus 

every knee should bow, 

in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

and every tongue confess 

that Jesus Christ is Lord, 

to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2,9-11). 

It is very clear that the name of Jesus is superior to all names, and for this reason, a spirituality developed around the name of Jesus. St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, advised us to "give thanks always to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5,20). Over time, this led to the introduction of the prayer of the name of Jesus, in which the following phrase is repeated continuously, keeping pace with the rhythm of breathing:

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

have mercy on me a sinner.”