It is 5th May 2020. The readings are from Acts 11:19-26; and the Gospel from John 10:22-30. In every man-made problem, there is a God-made solution. Every confusion brings a fusion as that of every division regroups re-vision. There is no shortage of goodness in God in providing leaders to the Church and the world. However, we perceive a person as evil and useless, while God gazes some good in every one of us. The faithful need not promote their agenda to hold on a particular leader for their personal motives. The first reading explains how the persecution and scattering of God’s people was sown as a new sapling of love, hope, inclusion of all people and healing wherever they were rooted. Hammered community of believers became the home of God where Christ’s love, sharing, caring and living for the welfare of the other and the community gained a new tile the Christian. It is not a title of honor rather it denotes the nature and belief of the person who follows and believes Jesus. The martyrdom of Stephen, the apostolic missionary works of Philip and Peter, the conversion of Saul, the enormous preaching of Barnabas added savor to the sacrifices of the new followers. The sons and daughters of encouragement in the Church are to continue supporting and supplementing the vision of Christ like that of Barnabas. The openness and willingness of Barnabas to take Paul on board is the gesture needed for a growing community. Whenever Church is inclusive and welcoming all people, it echoed the voices of the Savior’s vision and values. Growth that happens at the edge always spreads as the development at the center and change of mind at the core takes a while. The mandate of the Gospel cannot be replaced by the agenda of the world. The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “All, you nations, praise the Lord.” (Ps.117:1). The Gospel reprimands us to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd be contented with the security He offers to us all. The sheep recognizes the voice and is familiar to the smell of the Shepherd. The Church is secured as long as it listens to the voice of Jesus and assimilate the values of the Kingdom of God. The Church becomes insecure and vulnerable when it moves out of the circle of love and comfort from the Lord to the pleasures and plans the world. Constantly recognizing and re-tuning ourselves to the voice of the Messiah, the Savior, the Christ, the Lord, we are assured of a type of security no one else can offer to us individually or as a community. “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” (Jn.10:29). May the Lord help us to be known as Christians in the way we live and behave during this pandemic. May you have a good day. God bless you.