4th Sunday of Easter
When our son was young, we enrolled in parent-tot swimming lessons. One thing the little ones had to do was jump from the edge of the pool into the arms of Mom or Dad who was waiting in the water. It was amazing how many of them would happily fling themselves out into space, trusting that their parents would catch them.
It’s that same kind of trust that Jesus is calling us to in today’s gospel. Sheep inherently trust their shepherd to keep them safe, even in the scariest situations. And there is no denying that the world today is a scary place. Economic hardships, illnesses, soaring divorce rates – try as we might, none of us is immune to fear or anxiety. And yet Jesus promises us that nothing can snatch us from God’s hand. Yes, we might lose our job or become ill or experience a marriage breakdown. But we will never be out of God’s loving reach.
Jesus gives us this assurance so we might have the courage to listen to the voice of the shepherd, calling us to follow him. He is asking us to walk in his footsteps and we can never forget that those footsteps ultimately led to Calvary. Following Jesus means giving our lives for others, in whatever way he calls us to do that. As we celebrate this Vocation Sunday, may we deepen our trust in the shepherd’s promise.
