Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. On this Sunday our liturgy presents to us Jesus who is the good shepherd; hence today is also known as Good shepherd Sunday. The phrase “My Sheep Hear my voice, I know them and they follow me” express the intimacy and the inseparable relationship between Jesus and those who he has redeemed. Again the term “Shepherd” embraces all those entrusted with Religious, Family, Public, Private, and political authority. In simple terms a shepherd is a Leader. Those vested with authority of any kind must be responsible in the discharge of their duties with justice and service oiled with the love of God in their Heart. Lastly the fact that there is a Good Shepherd presupposes the existence of Bad shepherds; those in authority with manipulative or exploitative motive are bad Shepherds. They are driven by greed and they lack care, Self-control, regards, respect and the fear of God, which is expressed in their strive to be in control without service to those entrusted to them. Bad shepherds feed themselves and not the sheep. We must not be like them. We must ask ourselves today beloved in the Lord; what type of a shepherd or leader am I, Good or Bad? And what is my motivating factor in the discharge of my responsibility?
Prayer: Lord help me to listen to the voice of the Good shepherd always.