May 8, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year C)—Good Shepherd Sunday
Readings for Today
Listen for English
“My sheep dem dey hear My voice; I know dem, and dem dey follow Me.” John 10:27
Jesus show clear difference among shepherds. This one concern priests, papa and mama, and all of us, each for our own special way. The difference wey He show na between those wey truly care for the people wey dem put for their care, and those wey just dey do the work anyhow, and wey selfishness dey move pass love wey dey ready to make sacrifice.
As the Divine Shepherd, Jesus show love wey dey make sacrifice in perfect way. He ready to go reach the very end for us, His sheep. He ready to sacrifice everything. He no let suffering, persecution, rejection and things like these stop Him from the responsibility to care for us fully and completely. To know how deep His love for us really be suppose inspire us, comfort us and give us courage.
We dey also see this love for the love of papa or mama, brother or sister, or close friend wey no dey shake. When the love wey person get for us no dey shake, especially for hard times, e dey give us strong support. And when we love another person like this, e dey join us together for spirit with bond wey strong pass any hardship wey we fit face. No matter the “wolf” wey come our way, we must know say the Divine Shepherd dey support us without shaking. And when we fit see that love through the support wey other people dey give us without shaking, we receive blessing two times over.
But we no suppose ignore the difference too. Jesus give the example of “person wey dem hire wey no be shepherd” wey see wolf dey come and run away. E important to show how much harm this man dey cause the people of God. When he run from im responsibility and allow selfishness control am, he leave the sheep without care and open to attack.
For this person wey dem hire, we suppose see the temptation wey all of us must face for life. E hard to stand firm when hard times come. E hard to dey there for people wey need us at the time wey dem need us. E hard to remain faithful for everything and never draw back when fear dey tempt us.
Jesus dey give us His love and support wey no dey shake as our Shepherd, but He also want make we return this gift to Him by giving one another this same commitment wey no dey shake.
Think today about how well you dey follow the example of the Good Shepherd. For where you dey fall short, allow Him care for you as your Shepherd so that you fit care for others as shepherd too. Run go meet the Good Shepherd and trust the perfect love wey He get for you.
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, I thank You for the support wey You dey give me without shaking as my Shepherd. And I thank You for those wey You dey use to show this deep love and commitment. Help me carry out my duty to care for Your people as shepherd, the people wey You don put for my life. Make I never run from this glorious responsibility wey You don call me to carry out. Jesus, na You I trust.
Sunday Video Reflections on the Gospel
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Special pictures wey dey above: Good Shepherd by Bernhard Plockhorst, through Wikimedia Commons
