IV Sunday of Easter:[2015]:Acts 4:7-12;1 John 3:1-2;John 10:11-18

IV Sunday of Easter:[2015]:Acts 4:7-12;1 John 3:1-2;John 10:11-18

Introduction:  In London, a crowd had gathered to hear a famous Shakespearean actor recite some of Shakespeare’s dramas. The crowd was so very entranced and entertained by the actor’s abilities, and they gave him frequent standing ovations. An old preacher in the audience encouraged the actor to recite the 23rd Psalm, using his Shakespearean style. The actor agreed on one condition that the preacher also should do so after he finished.  The actor used much expression and voice inflection and all of his acting abilities, and when he was finished, the crowd gave a resounding standing ovation that lasted for several minutes. Then the old preacher started reciting the same psalm. As he began, his voice was shaky because of his reverence for God’s Word. When the preacher was finished, nobody clapped. They couldn’t. There wasn’t a dry eye anywhere, and all were busy wiping their tears. The Shakespearean actor slowly stood, and he said, “Ladies and gentlemen, there is obviously a difference between this preacher and me. I know the Psalm of the Good Shepherd psalm, but this preacher knows the Shepherd of the Psalm.”

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. Today is World Day of Prayer for Vocations, a day that Christians are invited to reflect on the meaning of God's call and to pray for vocations. What seems to be hard for many people today to understand is the ministerial priesthood of some of the faithful, those who are called to make a lifelong commitment to serve as ordained ministers. This misunderstanding, among other things, is at the root of the vocation crisis in the church. If we understood more clearly the true nature and meaning of ordained ministry then we would be in the position to encourage both ourselves and others to respond to God's call to this way of life. Prayer is the most powerful help to them. 

The life of the shepherd in biblical times was one of personal self-giving and sacrifice. His work was that of watchful care and closeness to the flock. There were two kinds of shepherds: Hired hand and Shepherd owner. Hired shepherd is just doing their job. Shepherd owner protects the sheep, takes care their needs. Sheep listen to the shepherd and follow them.  Shepherds makes voice to follow and walk in front of them and flock follow him. Jesus speaks to us through different means and we follow him.

Joke: NASA was interviewing professionals they were thinking of sending to Mars. The touchy part was that only one guy could go and it would be a one-way trip, the guy not ever returning to Earth.

The interviewer asked the first applicant, an engineer, how much he wanted to be paid for going. "One million dollars," the engineer answered. "And I want to donate it all to my alma mater – Rice University."

The next applicant was a doctor, and the interviewer asked him the same question. "Two millions dollars," the doctor said. "I want to give a million to my family and leave the other million for the advancement of medical research."

The last applicant was a Politician. When asked how much money he wanted, he whispered in the interviewer's ear, "Three million dollars." "Why so much more than the others?" the interviewer asked. The lawyer replied, "You give me three million, I'll give you one million, I'll keep a million, and we'll send the engineer with remaining one million."

Practical Applications: 1) Anyone who is in charge of others is called by God to care for those placed in their charge. Who are they? They are parents and grandparents; they are teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, priests, ministers, and mentors. Are you responsible in any way for the well-being of others? If you are, Jesus is calling you to shepherd them as He shepherds us.

2) Others who play the role the flock have also some responsibilities: to obey them, to listen to them, to give them respect, to take care them, to support them, or at least to pray for them.

Introduction : IV Sunday of Easter: World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Message: Jesus is the “cornerstone rejected by the builders which has become the cornerstone”.  He is the good shepherd who laid down his life for us.  Through his paschal mystery we have become children of God.

Saints and events in this week: 28- twenty eighth – Tuesday – Saint Peter Chanel, Priest, martyr; and Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest; 29 – Twenty Ninth – Wednesday – Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor of the Church; 30 – Thirtieth – Thursday - Saint Pius V, Pope; May 1 – First – First Friday - Saint Joseph, the worker; 2 – Second – Saturday - Saint Athanasius, bishop, doctor of the church;