REFLECTION FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – APRIL 21, 2024

Ann O’Connor, Notre Dame Associate

John 10:11-18

The Gospel reading for April 21, 2024, is often referred to as the Good Shepherd reading. Within the first sentence, Jesus declares to us who He is. The first part of the gospel is all about how a good shepherd cares for his flock and how the sheep of his flock know him and willingly follow him. In verse 16, the inference is that his protection is not just for current followers but a call for others to be brought into the fold as well. He accepts us all as members of his flock. He gives us spiritual nourishment and we are assured that He will guide and protect us. His great act of love was to voluntarily sacrifice his life so that all people might have everlasting life.

The love of Jesus is love unto death. To follow Jesus is not to avoid the hardships of life but to go through them together with Jesus. Jesus is not the way around suffering and death but the only way through suffering and death that leads to resurrection and life.

The good news of this Good Shepherd Sunday is that we have a shepherd who laid down His life so that we may have life in Him and dwell in His house forever. Jesus is our shepherd; we shall not want.