Hymns for Mass – Press Here

FIRST READING (There is no salvation through anyone else.)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (4:8-12)

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said: “Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” —The Word of the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29)

R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. (Ps 118:22)

Or Alleluia.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. (R)

I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. (R)

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his kindness endures forever. (R)

SECOND READING (We shall see God as he really is.)

A reading from the first Letter of Saint John (3:1-2)

Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. —The Word of the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Jn 10:14)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep,

and mine know me. (R)

GOSPEL (The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (10:11-18)

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” —The Gospel of the Lord.

R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD!”

One of the oldest depictions of Jesus in Christian art is an ancient fresco in the catacombs of St. Priscilla outside Rome. It’s an early 3rd century representation of Christ as a young shepherd holding a sheep draped around his shoulders, while other sheep look on them. This fresco represents Christ, the Good Shepherd, leading his followers into paradise. Interestingly, there are similar frescos and one very ancient sculpture found in other ancient catacombs.

The Gospels for the Fourth Sunday of Easter are taken from the Johannine allegory of Jesus as both GATE or doorway to the sheepfold and as SHEHERD (John 10). And after today until Pentecost, all of the Gospels will come from the Gospel of John’s farewell discourses at the Last Supper. This is because in the New Testament, especially in John’s Gospel, we see that the passion, death, resurrection as well as the giving of the Spirit are one saving event – the kerygma – dramatically played out in the Gospels over the this period of weeks. 

For many people of the ancient world, shepherding was more than an occupation: it was their avenue of survival, their life, and their identity. The life of shepherds was anything but carefree. The needs of the sheep determined how they would spend their time. Their flocks had to be grazed and fed, watered and protected. Because of the total commitment of the shepherd to the sheep, this image seemed an appropriate one to use to characterize a king who was expected to also be totally committed to the welfare and safety of his people (so… Ps. 23 “The Lord is my Shepherd”). And it was because these human leaders failed in their responsibilities toward their charges, that God declared: “I myself will look after and tend my sheep” (Ezek. 34:11]. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us three characteristics of the Good Shepherd. First, the Good Shepherd cares so much for his flock that he is willing to risk his life to protect them. Unlike a hired servant or worker who works for a wage but often without a heart in the job – and would probably run away when a threat appeared – the shepherd stands firm and defends because of love. The Good Shepherd is willing to lay down his very life for his flock. Unlike some heroes or heroines who often disappoint us when we discover they are not who we thought they were, Jesus is everything He claimed to be. He showed his love by giving up his life for us. Each Sunday we repeat the words “This is my Body ..given for you.” He also reminds us at the end of our Gospel today that no one took his life from him – “I lay my life down on my own” in obedience to the Father. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gave his life FOR US. 

Secondly, the Good Shepherd knows each of the sheep “by name”. To a stranger, the sheep all look alike. But the Good Shepherd knows the temperament of each and knows each by name. So often, we wear a mask in front of others – such as the mask of self-assurance, piety, competence or certainty. But there is often a gap between what people see and what is the case within (who we really are). Jesus knows our inner person – the one he calls by name from the moment we are baptized – the moment we give our name to God, which is part of our baptismal ritual for children – asking parents the “name” by which God will know them. 

Thirdly, he cares always about all of them, even those who go astray. The shepherd gathers the flock when they are scattered, bringing them together. An individual sheep is never far from his mind. Remember the parable of the Lost Sheep! In a world of so much fragmentation, Jesus is the point around which we all can gather. His flock embraces all ages, all cultures – just look around this church community today where we witness a new life reborn in Christ from our newly-baptized adults and children! If anyone drifts away from the flock, the Lord sends instruments of grace to bring us back – if we wish to return. To those who never belonged to the flock, the Lord brings a light into their life to guide them to the flock – His church. Jesus is indeed the Good Shepherd, who gave his life for us, knows us each by name, and gathers the lost even as he brings new members into His flock. 

Where the flock is – there is the Shepherd. The flock may be in difficult terrain, or experiencing storms, or being attacked by predators. Still the Good Shepherd is with them. If we know of someone who is looking for the Good Shepherd, invite him or her to the flock of the Church. Here they will find restful waters and refreshment for the soul. Whether they are on a cliff or in a valley, they will find the Lord’s rod and staff to give them guidance and courage. Here they will find the table of the Lord and the anointing of the Spirit. Here they will find the entry way to dwelling in the Lord’s House – forever.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who has bound his flock to himself forever. Join the flock, and the Good Shepherd will embrace you. Embrace the Shepherd, and you will join the flock. The flock and the Shepherd, the Lord and His Church are one. Let us also pray today for the Spirit to fill the hearts of young men of our diocese to follow in he footsteps of the Good Shepherd – dedicating their lives to tend the Lord’s flock here in Hong Kong! The Good Shepherd speaks to each of us – those baptized many years ago, as well as those baptized only a few weeks ago. “I am the Good Shepherd! Turn to me! Trust in me; I will take care of you, forever.!”

Prayers

Celebrant:  Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. Let us pray to the Father, remembering the selfless love of his beloved Son.

READER: For the Holy Father, bishops and priests in the Church, that they may continue to care for the flocks entrusted to them, and lead them into ways of righteousness, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: For the unity of all Christians, that they may be one flock and one shepherd, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: For those who live in loneliness, that they may be welcomed and find friendship in the community of the Church, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: For vocations to the priesthood, and for young men discerning this special call, that Christ will raise up faithful shepherds for his flock from our own community and diocese, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: [SMC only: For members of the Edwards and Tsoi families for whom today’s Mass is offered, and] For the sick and for the faithful departed, as well as for the prayers we carry in our hearts this day, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

CELEBRANT: Most loving Father, our help and our salvation, accept the prayers of your children, the flock gathered in the name of your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever, (all) AMEN.