It is 17th April 2016. We celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter as a Good Shepherd Sunday. The readings are from Acts 13:14, 43-52; Revelations 7:9, 14-17; and the Gospel from John 10:27-30. The first reading teaches us the perseverance in times of rejection and resistance. Apostles Paul and Barnabas were rejected by Jews and they persuaded to preach and teach the non-Jews. We must never give up on loving and giving. There is always someone out there in need of love and guidance not preferably the ones whom we wish to offer. Rejection is a human reality. All of us go through the rejection one form or the other. When we hold responsibilities of leading and guiding the others in love, we get easily rejected and taken a ride which hurts us to the core. Yet, we are given a model in Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in the Second reading, there is no room for taking the rejection personally rather we must soar above the human weakness. Jesus is the Lamb of Sacrifice. God promises that God will make all things new in Jesus and all the old will be taken away. God himself will join God’s people through Jesus. “For the Lamb who is in the centre of the throne, will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev. 7:17). The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “We are God’s people, the sheep of God’s flock.” (Ps.100:3). The Gospel presents the Ideal Good Shepherd Jesus, who promises today, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.” (Jn. 10:28). Jesus assures us the protection, security, and care that shepherds represent for their sheep. And He brings us not only closer to the Father and puts us directly in touch with the Father removing all distances. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ as long as we acknowledge the intimacy and relationship between the Father and the Son are one. May we rise above all human weaknesses and to lead other in unity of mind and spirit. Have a good day.