FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B.
22nd April 2018
Acts 4:8-12; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11-18.
The Good Shepherded is a description of God’s love for humanity. His love is based on the deepest concerns of humanity. The issue of security in the contemporary world pose the question of God’s presence in our present world. Developing countries are witnessing unprecedented outburst of civil unrest and war. The military exercise in Syria is indeed a reality that calls for the presence of God.
The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He is different from a hired worker who flees at the least threat to life. Jesus Christ lived out the example of good leadership in his time on earth. Our leaders, the politicians are far from the example of Jesus Christ. The political atmosphere is infected with greed and materialism. Little is done to promote inclusive and people oriented program. The media is employed to promote hate and lies. The world tastes for good leadership. The social contract of governance is collapsing in some countries of the world. Where is Jesus Christ the Good shepherd?
It is easy to point at the absence of God rather than open our eyes to the reality of our deviation from the divine command. We have not live up to the expectation of a humble sheep that is willing to follow the steps of the Good shepherd. The shepherd presupposes a sheepfold. We have not been good followers hence the unstable reality of the contemporary world. Divinely ordained realities are challenged in our time. The very natural realities that are to remind of the shepherd we follow collapse at a great speed. As long as we are not ready to follow the steps of the Good shepherd spelt out in the teachings of the church, we stand the chance of losing sight of the Divine in our lives.
Anthony Ekpunobi, CM.
