Gospel Reflection – 4th Sunday of Easter

“I give them eternal life.”

Dear brothers and sisters, peace and blessings.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is always Good Shepherd Sunday. Each year, in the three liturgical cycles, the Church presents us with a passage from John chapter 10, where Jesus speaks of Himself as the true shepherd. This Gospel text, with a clear vocational tone, is also an invitation from the Church to pray for vocations. The four verses we read today come from the end of Jesus’ discourse and help us deepen our understanding of this powerful image.

Following the Good Shepherd’s command, Paul and Barnabas went out to proclaim the Good News in faraway places, including Antioch in Pisidia. It seems they did quite well—many people came to believe in the faith preached by these two great apostles. But, as often happens, envy—always a bad advisor—led some people to reject them. Others misused their influence to get the apostles banned from preaching freely. It seems abuse of power is nothing new.

But as we know, God writes straight with crooked lines. The rejection in Pisidia became the starting point for a greater evangelization. Just as Stephen’s martyrdom led to the spread of the early Church, this opposition led Paul to open the Gospel to the Gentiles—”to the ends of the earth.” The Gentiles rejoiced at receiving the Good News. And so do we—because we, too, have received it, thanks to the tireless missionary work of the Apostles.

In the second reading from Revelation, we see a vast multitude. But who are they? They are the ones who, in this life, endured hardship and persecution, who gave their lives for others—just like the Lamb. The world saw them as failures, but God sees them as true victors.

This passage is a powerful reminder for persecuted or struggling Christians to persevere with patience and strength. What happened to Jesus, the Lamb, happens in them too. If they follow Him as a shepherd, they will also share in His resurrection victory. It’s not easy—but it is possible.

In today’s Gospel, John not only wants us to understand who Jesus is—the Good Shepherd, but also hopes that by the end, many will believe in Him. That’s what happens over and over in John’s Gospel: every encounter with Jesus ends in faith—at Cana, with Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the man born blind, and finally Thomas, who confesses, “My Lord and my God.” Despite their doubts, they came to believe. And so can we—if we take this journey seriously, our faith can be strengthened, just as theirs was.

In this relationship, in this dialogue, God always takes the first step. He seeks us, speaks to us, and because of that, we can recognize His voice. God, who is Trinity—pure relationship—wants to communicate with us. He speaks through His Word, through life’s events (both good and bad), and through the people around us. He desires a personal relationship with each of us, because He knows us individually. Better than any GPS, He knows where we are and what’s happening inside us—better than we know ourselves.

And we, His sheep, trust Him. We can follow Him without fear, because in His voice we hear the echo of true happiness—not the fleeting joys the world offers, but the deep, lasting joy only God can give. We follow Him, and He gives us eternal life. That’s likely why so many of those who encountered Him ended up believing. None were disappointed. All received their reward—through hardship and suffering, yes—but it came.

We have heard the voice of the Shepherd, a voice we recognize, and that knows us. Throughout our lives, we’ve felt His presence. In hard times, we’ve leaned on Him. He is our treasure—worth selling everything to gain. He gives us a life without end—a life where there are no more tears, no sorrow, no pain, and no death.

This Good Shepherd has stayed with us. He left us His Body and Blood in the Eucharist. There He meets us, strengthens our faith, and increases our hope. Nourished by this heavenly banquet, we are sent—like the first Apostles—to be His disciples, giving witness that we are His friends, that we follow Him unconditionally, because we know in Whom we have placed our trust.

As I write these lines, the Conclave has not yet chosen the new Pope. If, by the time you read this, the new Pontiff has been elected, please don’t forget to pray for the successor of Peter. And if not yet, pray for the Cardinals tasked with choosing him—so they may listen to the Holy Spirit.

Your brother in faith,