Dear Parishioners and Friends,

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, traditionally known as the Good Shepherd Sunday, we have a new shepherd in Pope Leo XIV. The Church invites us to reflect deeply on the voice and care of Christ, our Shepherd, who knows His sheep and gives them eternal life. At the heart of this Sunday’s liturgy is the assurance that we belong to someone who never abandons us, who walks with us and who lays down His life for us.

In the Gospel passage from John 10:27-30, Jesus makes a bold and intimate claim: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me.” These words are part of a larger discourse in which Jesus presents Himself as the Good Shepherd, not a hired hand who flees when danger comes, but one who defends, guides and nourishes His flock, even at the cost of His own life. In the time of Jesus, shepherding was an everyday image in Palestine. Shepherds lived among their flocks, often sleeping at the gate of the pen to protect the sheep from harm. The relationship was marked by familiarity and trust. Jesus uses this image not sentimentally, but to contrast the faithful care of God with the self-interest of false leaders and empty religion. In a world saturated with competing voices, media headlines, political spin and social influencers, how do we hear the voice of the Shepherd? Are we attuned to His call in Scripture, in the silence of prayer, in the poor, in the Eucharist? Or do we find ourselves distracted, restless, chasing voices that promise fulfilment but leave us spiritually hungry? The challenge for us today is to become familiar with Christ’s voice, not simply knowing about Him but recognising Him in daily life. Just as a sheep learns the sound of its shepherd through constant listening, we too must cultivate habits of quiet prayer and reflection to distinguish His voice amidst the noise.

In the first reading (Acts 13:14, 43–52), we witness Paul and Barnabas proclaiming the Gospel with boldness in the synagogue at Antioch. When rejected by some, they turn to the Gentiles, affirming that the salvation of God is meant for all peoples. Their words are not met with universal acceptance, they face jealousy and persecution, but they rejoice that they are fulfilling their mission. The early Church was learning to navigate its identity beyond Judaism, extending the Gospel to new cultures. It was a time of growth, but also of tension and rejection. Yet Paul and Barnabas remained rooted in the joy of the Resurrection and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In our parishes and wider communities, we too are living in a time of shifting religious identity. Fewer people identify as practising Christians. Secularism, religious indifference and even cynicism about Church institutions present real challenges. And yet, this Sunday’s reading reminds us that rejection does not mean failure. Like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to be faithful, not simply successful. The call is to evangelise with joy, not aggressively, but authentically, through our lives, our kindness, our courage to speak of Christ even when it’s unpopular. Let us not be discouraged when pews are less full than they once were. Let us be renewed in our sense of mission, reaching out to the lonely, to the seeker, to the disillusioned, not with judgment, but with the confidence that Christ is still calling His sheep home.

In Revelation (7:9, 14–17), John sees a great multitude from every nation standing before the throne and the Lamb. These are the ones who have come through the great ordeal; they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. And in a beautiful reversal of imagery, the Lamb becomes the Shepherd who will lead them to springs of living water. This vision, written to a persecuted Church, is a promise that suffering is not the end of the story. The blood of martyrs, the tears of the faithful and the sacrifices of the hidden saints are not forgotten. God Himself will wipe away every tear. For many today, especially in our society where mental health struggles, economic uncertainty and social isolation are so prevalent, these words bring comfort and challenge. Comfort, because we are reminded that Christ is with those who suffer. Challenge, because we are called to stand with them too, to be the hands that wipe away tears, to be the shepherds for others in their time of need.

So, what does this Good Shepherd Sunday ask of us?

• To listen more attentively. We must prioritise time to hear the voice of Christ in Scripture, the sacraments and in the stillness of prayer.
• To follow more faithfully. We are called not just to believe, but to walk in His footsteps, serving others, forgiving freely and seeking the lost.
• To shepherd one another. Each of us shares in Christ’s shepherding mission, whether as parents, teachers, neighbours or friends. We are invited to protect, guide and care for others with gentleness and resolve.

In a society that often prizes independence above communion and noise over silence, the Church must be a place where the voice of the Shepherd is heard clearly, where all are welcomed and where no one is left behind. “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” This Sunday, let us renew our desire to know Christ more intimately, to follow Him more closely, and to share His love more generously. May our parishes reflect the heart of the Good Shepherd—places of welcome, mercy, and joyful witness. And as we rejoice in the election of Pope Leo XIV, the new Vicar of Christ and visible shepherd of the universal Church, let us pray that he may lead us with wisdom, courage, and compassion, echoing the voice of the true Shepherd, Christ our Lord. And may we, with all the saints and martyrs, one day join that great multitude before the throne, where the Lamb will be our Shepherd, and God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Amen.