“FIRST IMPRESSIONS”

4th SUNDAY OF EASTER -C- May 11, 2025

Acts 13: 14, 43-52; Psalm 100; Rev. 7: 9, 14-17; John 10: 27-30

by Jude Siciliano, OP

Dear Preachers:

A few years ago, friends of mine traveled to Greece. Much of their time was spent in the countryside and small villages, so they returned with many stories. One daily event in particular fascinated them. Each evening, numerous shepherds would bring their flocks together into one large, secure enclosure for the night. That in itself wasn’t unusual. What intrigued my friends was what happened the next morning.

By dawn, all the sheep had mingled, forming one large flock. Yet when the shepherds arrived, each picked up his staff, called out with a distinctive, shrill cry, and led his sheep out to pasture. Despite the mingling, the sheep responded only to the voice of their own shepherd and followed him down a separate path. Each one knew the unique sound of its shepherd’s voice.

That style of shepherding, still practiced today, hasn’t changed since the time of Jesus. He spoke of himself as our shepherd, encouraging us to listen for his voice, to ignore others, and to follow him.

When Jesus told his disciples to listen to his voice, I wonder if he realized just how hard that would be in the 21st century. It can be difficult to stay focused, to ignore the constant distractions and tempting shortcuts that promise quick solutions. In the noise and busyness of our lives, it takes real effort and energy to hear the voice of the right Shepherd and not be led astray.

Today is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” It can sound a bit sentimental. We’ve all seen the holy cards and stained-glass windows showing the spotless shepherd in a peaceful garden, gently carrying an innocent lamb on his shoulders. These are beautiful images, but they don’t offer a very realistic picture of either his life – or ours.

Just a few weeks ago, during Holy Week, we heard again the story of Jesus’ suffering. Because he continued to proclaim God’s love for us, he was rejected, beaten, tortured, and killed. In his agony, he did not resemble the clean, serene shepherd of the stained glass. Yet he was – and still is – our Shepherd.

Our lives, too, are rarely spent in a peaceful garden. They are often filled with chaos, disrupted plans, disappointments, and setbacks. We aren’t always spotless lambs either. We have histories. We’ve taken detours, gotten lost, and strayed. Still, this Good Shepherd Sunday is for us – those who are sincerely trying to hear the Shepherd’s voice amidst the clamor and confusion of life. Many voices claim to speak for our good, but they often lead us astray and disappoint us. The Good Shepherd never will.

The Good Shepherd promises his followers “eternal life.” And even now, we catch glimpses of that life in those around us who have clearly heard and responded to his call:
– They don’t return anger for anger.
– They forgive, even before being asked.
– They gather regularly with their faith community, like we are doing today.
– They serve the poor.
– They set an example of faith and love in their homes.
– They are unafraid to speak about their faith.
– They put aside their own plans to help those in need.

In other parts of Scripture, Jesus describes such people as “lights of the world” and “lamps on a lamp stand – visible, guiding examples to others.

Jesus is possessive – but not in a harmful way. He simply refuses to let go of us. He will not lose track of us, or let us slip away. Our Good Shepherd says, “I’m not going to let go of you. You belong to me – and to my Father.”

So be confident in that promise. Show your belonging by practicing forgiveness, patience, compassion for the needy, commitment to your community, and by helping others to recognize and respond to his voice.

The eternal life we begin to experience here and now needs to be nourished. That’s why we pray, reflect on Scripture, and gather as a community of believers – followers of the same Good Shepherd.

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051125.cfm