On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, known as Good Shepherd Sunday, the Church hears again the voice of Jesus: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). These are not merely poetic words; they are the Risen Lord’s invitation to each of us, calling us into a relationship of deep trust and abiding love. We are invited to hear, to be known, and to follow.
This year, Good Shepherd Sunday resounds with deeper significance as the Church walks together through a time of expectation and discernment. The College of Cardinals gathers in Conclave, not merely to elect, but to seek—on behalf of the whole Church—a Shepherd in the image of Christ: one who listens before speaking, who carries before commanding, and who leads not by status, but by service.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents himself as the Good Shepherd, one who lays down his life for the sheep. His is not a distant or abstract care—it is personal, sacrificial, tender, and strong. He knows his sheep intimately, walks with them through their darkest valleys, and leads them toward life. This knowledge is not just factual; it is the knowledge of the heart. He knows our wounds, fears, and failings—and still, he calls us by name.
Today is also Vocation Sunday, reminding us that every Christian is called to follow Christ and live out a vocation of love and service. While some are called to the priesthood or religious life, all of us—whether single, married, or consecrated—have a vital role in the Church’s mission. Each calling, in its own way, contributes to the work of evangelisation. No vocation is lesser; all are needed, and all are holy when lived with faith, generosity, and love.
To hear his voice, we must learn to listen again. In a world crowded with noise, distraction, and division, Christ still speaks—in silence, in prayer, in the Scriptures, and through the Church. Are we making room to recognize his voice? Are we open to the Shepherd who comes not to control but to call?
To follow the Good Shepherd means to imitate his compassion and mercy. It means walking with the wounded, defending the vulnerable, and serving the lost. His Resurrection is not only a future promise but a present path—he calls us to rise today and live as people of Easter hope.
Let us pray that the Church’s next shepherd—the successor of Peter—will be one who knows the smell of the sheep, who walks with the poor and broken, and who shows us again the face of Christ.
The Shepherd knows you. He calls you. Will you follow? And as we await the Church’s new shepherd, let us not grow weary. Let us be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. With Mary, Mother of the Church, we pray: Come, Good Shepherd. Lead us in your mercy. Amen.
Father Josekutty Mathew CMF
