Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Osmond Anike

Readings:

First Reading: Acts 4:8-12 – The name of Jesus Christ is the only name in which we can be saved.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117(118):1,8-9,21-23,26,2 8-29 – The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone.

Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-2 – We shall be like God because we shall see him as he really is.

Gospel: John 10:11-18 – The good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep.

4^th Sunday of Easter is traditionally celebrated as the “Good Shepherd Sunday”. Before we reflect on the imageries of sheep and shepherd and on the question of vocation, let us first take a look at the drama that happened in the first reading. The reading describes the fallout of the healing of the crippled beggar by the apostles Peter and John. When the two apostles encountered the beggar who begged them for alms, Peter made the famous assertion, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you: in the name of Jesus the Nazorean, walk.” While the people were amazed and stunned at the miracle, the authorities and leaders of the people did not find it funny. They promptly arrested, detained and questioned Peter and John. The extract we read in the first reading is the reply of Peter to their questioning.

Two things are important to note from this drama: The first is how Peter was quick to shift focus away from himself and directed it to Jesus. There are so many so-called “faith-healers” (who at best can be more appropriately described as magicians) who boast about their own ability to work wonders. They derive joy in advertising their ministry on the basis of how many purported miracles they have accomplished. Unlike these modern-day self-acclaimed miracle workers, Peter immediately tells everyone that the healing they just witnessed is not as a result of his own power and holiness but was rather done in the name of Jesus whom they crucified but whom God has raised from the dead. The people were already looking unto them as some sort of deities. But they were conscious of who they were – mere human beings with nothing extraordinary about them except that they invoked the name of Jesus.

This brings us to the second point. Peter’s concluding remark is that, “Of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved”. Again, modern-day miracle workers understand this statement as implying that the name “Jesus Christ” is some sort of magical name which someone can invoke at whims and caprices to satiate one’s alter ego. This is so much so that when you hear them say for instance, “In the name of Jesus, I command you to…” they only use the phrase “In the name of Jesus” as a pun; their real emphasis is on the “I command you to…” Therefore, they want people to realize that it is their “command” rather than the name of Jesus that brought about the so-called miracle. And then they will follow this up by inviting people to clap for Jesus when in reality they mean people should clap for them. Jesus does not need anybody’s applause. He is not a Rock star. What he desires is a humbled contrite heart; nothing more. Peter’s statement that Jesus’ name is the only name by which we can be saved does not imply the use of Jesus’ name as a magical incantation. It does not mean that merely shouting “‘Be healed’ or ‘be saved’ in the name of Jesus” will automatically translate into healing or salvation. Remember what some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to do in Ephesus to prove that they can compete with Paul. They tried to invoke the name of Jesus over those with evil spirits by saying, “I adjure you by the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches.” But the evil spirit replied them: “Jesus I recognise, Paul I know, but who are you?” (cf. Acts 19:11-20). The point we are making is that for the name of Jesus to be efficacious, the “I” must disappear. Peter told the crippled beggar, “in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, walk”. He did not say, “in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, I command you to walk”. There was no “I” in his statement, and that was why Jesus’ name took over. But don’t fall for it. I am not giving you a formula by which you can now omit the “I” and then expect the “magic” to happen. Whether you pronounce the “I” aloud or not, as long as your ego is there, Jesus is absent; and everything else you are doing is just a comic drama designed to deceive the gullible. When our ego disappears, then Jesus, the good shepherd takes over and we shall realize that there is potency in his name.

The imageries of sheep and shepherd are scattered throughout the Hebrew bible, the Old Testament. From Moses who was called by God (when he was tending the flock of his father-in-law) and given a shepherd’s staff, to David who was shepherding his father’s flock when he was called and anointed by Samuel, there is a long tradition in Israel of the imagery of shepherd. By calling himself “the good shepherd”, Jesus enters into this tradition and makes a distinction between the hired shepherd and the sheep-owner shepherd. The former is unconcerned about the welfare of the sheep. He is only after his money. Whether the sheep are grazing or not, whether they are in danger or not, these are none of his business as long as he has taken them out into the field. His attitude to the sheep is a business attitude. On the other hand, the second is tender-hearted towards the sheep because they belong to him. He takes adequate care of them. Jesus identifies himself not only as ‘a shepherd’ but as ‘the good shepherd’ who lays down his life for his sheep. There is a symbiotic relationship between the good shepherd and the sheep: they know each other; the shepherd takes risks for the sheep and the sheep listen to the voice of shepherd. The question is: What is my relationship with Jesus? Do I listen to his voice? And for those who think that heaven is their exclusive preserve simply because they are Christians or Catholics, Jesus has a shocker for you! He says: “There are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well”. Could it be that those who listen to his voice are found more in those other fold than in ours?

Good Shepherd Sunday is also a day we reflect on the meaning and importance of vocation to the priesthood and religious life. People need priests and religious to attend to their spiritual needs; and they demand these services. Yet, many of them are no longer interested in these vocations. Some go to any length to forbid their children from venturing into seminaries and religious houses. Yet, these are the same people who have made it their lives’ calling to attack and fight every priest and religious sent to their parishes. If these people see every priest sent to their parishes as “incompetent”, I think it is high time they sent their sons to enter the priesthood. Maybe by the time they are through with their formation, their parents will be able to encounter “competent” priests. But joke apart, the church needs young men and women who will train for priesthood and religious life in order to sustain these vocations. Anywhere there is shortage of vocations, the church is always in grave danger. Let us pray for increase in vocation so that the spiritual and sacramental lives of the church will be sustained.