The Good Shepherd calls you!
This 4th Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday and the
World Day of Prayer for Vocations, invites us to reflect on how we listen to and
respond to Jesus’ call. Just over two weeks ago, we witnessed a remarkable
moment as four astronauts safely returned to Earth after setting new records as
the first humans to orbit the Moon in over 50 years. Their journey reminds us of
the importance of communication and staying in touch. During their mission,
communication from NASA’s headquarters in Houston was crucial, especially
during the tense final moments when a communication blackout set in. How
alarming that must have felt! Just as the astronauts needed to hear from mission
control, we too must listen for the voice of our Good Shepherd.
Today’s Gospel presents us with Jesus as the Good Shepherd who knows
His sheep by name and leads them with love and care. As Jesus says, “The
sheep hear my voice… and follow me because they recognize my voice.” This
imagery shows that the Lord calls each of us to serve Him and the Church in
unique ways, whether through the priesthood, religious life, marriage, or single.
We are also reminded that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Each
of us has a specific vocation and mission to fulfill. As a priest, I see my calling
as expressing Christ’s selfless service and shepherding His flock. It is both
rewarding and humbling to lead souls toward our heavenly Father. Ultimately, it
is an ongoing mission: answer the call and do everything with love.
The vocation of family life is a divine invitation. Indeed, the family is a
foundation of the Church and of society; it is the domestic church, a sacred place
of faith and love. Parents play a key role in teaching their children Christian
values and are the first teachers of faith. As your pastor, I beg you, parents, to
teach your children to learn by heart the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory
Be, and to pray together as a family before bedtime. As Jesus says, “For where
two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”
(Matthew 18:20). In this fast-paced world filled with distractions and noise,
discerning the voice of the Good Shepherd is essential. We are assured that,
with Him, we shall want for nothing.
On this Good Shepherd Sunday, let’s take the time to listen intently for His
voice. As we open our hearts to His call, we can be assured of experiencing the
peace He alone can provide. Together, let’s follow Jesus, who leads us from
darkness into light and guides us toward our intended vocations. Embracing His
guidance will fill our lives with purpose and joy, allowing us to proclaim with
confidence, “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
Rev. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor