Good morning good people,
May the Risen Lord give you peace.
We celebrate Fourth Sunday of Easter as the Good Shepherd Sunday along with the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Here in the Parish, we celebrate the Catechist Day too. May the Lord bless your generosity and sacrifice in passing on the faith in Jesus. It is 11th May 2025.
We reflect on Acts 13:14, 43–52, Revelation 7:9, 14–17 and John 10:27–30.
Whose voice are we listening? The Master or the masters
Today we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter, traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday. It is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations—a time to reflect, renew, and respond to God’s call in our lives.
Speaking about vocation, Pope St. John Paul II said once, “Every vocation is a gift of God’s love. It is a call to serve Christ and His Church with all our hearts.”
Jesus is our Good Shepherd—He leads, nourishes, provides, protects, corrects, and restores us. His deepest desire is that everyone be saved and entrusted fully to the care of God. We pause in gratitude for the shepherds God has placed in our lives: Our New Pope Leo XIV, our beloved Apostolic Vicar Paulo Martinelli, Bishop Emeritus Paul Hinder, our priests, religious, the Catechists and all those who, in their own quiet way, shepherd others daily—with patience, love, and grace.
St. Gregory the Great encourages us all, “Let the shepherd lose no one in his flock. Let him go after the lost, lift up the weak, bind the wounded, and care for the strong.”
A young boy once received a small bell from his grandfather, a humble shepherd. “Tie this around the neck of the weakest lamb,” his grandfather said, “so I can hear it if it strays.”
One stormy night, the bell rang faintly through the wind. The shepherd grabbed his lantern and staff, and set out, searching every ravine until he found the little lamb, trembling and stuck in brambles. He carried it home close to his heart.
Years later, that boy became a priest. He kept that bell on his desk, saying, “This reminds me why I minister—to hear the faintest cry, to seek the one soul who feels forgotten.”
Just like that shepherd, Jesus hears our faintest cry, even when we stray. And He carries us—never scolds, never abandons—but seeks, finds, and rejoices.
As long as Jesus remains our Shepherd, we remain safe, steady, and journeying heavenward.
To evangelise, one must first believe in the Good Shepherd and trust His voice. True evangelisation isn’t done alone or in isolation—it’s done together, with open arms and open hearts, reaching every soul with the message of hope. In the first reading, we meet Paul and Barnabas, bold in spirit and unwavering even when met with hostility. Their courage calls us to do the same: keep proclaiming the Word, even when it’s hard, even when we feel alone.
Some among us are waiting quietly, earnestly, to be consoled and guided by God’s Word. If we have felt the touch of the Shepherd’s staff, then we are called to evangelise—to become that light for others.
“I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 13:47)
There is immense joy in stepping out of our comfort zones to work for the Gospel—holy joy that satisfies the soul more than comfort ever could.
The Psalm declares: “We are His people, the sheep of His flock” (Ps 100:3). What a comfort to belong to such a Shepherd!
The second reading shows us a glorious vision: the Lamb who washed away our sins now wipes every tear from our eyes. He is our joy in worship, our shelter in storms, our light beyond the veil.
In the Gospel, Jesus promises eternal life to all who listen to His voice. If we truly love Him, we will hear Him. And if we hear Him, we are assured: “No one can snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28)
St. John Henry Newman “He calls us each by name—because we are not just a number to Him. We are known, loved, and remembered.”
In an age of distractions and harmful digital voices, let us stay close to the Shepherd’s voice.
Let us walk in His light, and lead others to still waters. May we say yes to His call, today and always.
May you have a good day. May God bless you and keep you always in His fold.