Reflection on Today’s Readings, 4th Sunday of Easter, May 8th, 2022
Texts: Acts 13: 14.43-52; Psalm 100:1-5; Revelation 7:9.14b -17; John 10:27-30
Every fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Vocation Sunday and Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, we are all called to listen to Him and follow Him in our different circumstances of life. There is a universal call to holiness and special calls to religious life, priesthood and married life. Vocation to holiness is common to all of us, without exception. While all of us are called to live holy life, some of us are called to religious life, some of us are called to priesthood, some of us are called to married life.
There are challenges facing us as we live our vocation. This was not different during the time of St. Paul. St. Paul faced, in today’s first reading, the opposition of the Jews. It is said, “The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, and reviled him.” They attacked St. Paul and St. Barnabas because they were jealous of them. Our own challenges may not be like that of St. Paul and St. Barnabas.
What are the challenges we face as we live our vocation daily? Social media is a challenge to contend with as we live our vocation. Social media has made man to be more confused than ever. On social media we see falsehood, misinterpretation of scriptures, and conflicting opinions which leave us confused. This affects the way we live our vocation. Economic challenge cannot be pushed aside while discussing the challenges facing us as we live our vocation. People are finding it difficult to meet their basic needs such as food, shelter, and security. In attempt to meet our basic needs, some have done something contrary to their vocation, some have abandoned the vocation etc. Moral decadence is also another challenge we face as we live our vocation. Some people are labouring daily under the immodest dressing they encounter all around. Fetishism and money ritual have made some people to give up charity. Rape, insecurity, kidnapping, robbery, etc., are breeding mistrust, division and hatred everywhere. Parents now look as if they no longer teach their children owing to the kind of characters their children exhibit. Children now learn from films they watch, internet and social media rather than their parents. They also learn from their favourite celebrities instead of their parents. Globalisation also challenge some of the truths we hold dear.
St. Paul and St. Barnabas have set examples for us to follow in today’s first reading. It is said of them thus: “And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.’” They gave us an example that we should not give up, no matter the challenge and forces pressing against us. We should always look out for the opportunity we still have to proclaim the gospel. We should also make the gospel present on social media and internet. We should also encourage and promote good films.
Today’s second reading encourages us by telling us that those who are now in heavenly Kingdom once passed through tribulation and conquered. It says, “I, John, looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’” What we are to do now is to persevere till the end, that we might enjoy the communion of the saints in heaven.
We should also focus on Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, He is the one leading us. We are to always listen to His voice, not the voices we hear all round. Let us study and meditate on the word of God, for there God speaks to us and draws our heart close to Himself. He does not draw our hearts close alone but also continues to dwell in our hearts. When Christ dwells in our hearts there will be no room for influence of immorality; we will no longer labour under immorality. The second reading also says, “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Almighty ever-living God, lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before. Amen
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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