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4th Sunday Easter |
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Dear Preachers:
Wait a moment! We are in the Easter season why is our gospel backtracking to an earlier period of Jesus’ life, prior to his death and resurrection? On this fourth Sunday of Easter the church proclaims the image of sheep and shepherd. Don’t these images seem more suited to rural life than to the Easter season of resurrection and glory? Yet, the gospel today is deeply connected to our Easter faith.
The shepherd image is not sentimental, it is a resurrection image of life preserved, protected and led forward. Easter means the Shepherd is alive and still leading. The sheepfold image assumes an active and protective shepherd. The gospel today may sound like it is a sentimental memory in the past; but it speaks of our living Lord who is present now. “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
Ours is an Easter faith. The shepherd has been crucified but is not gone; he is risen and still guiding his people. The sheep are not abandoned on Good Friday. The resurrection assures us that the Shepherd continues to call, lead and protect. The flock is in real time, in our confused, misdirected and sometimes dangerous world. To use the image from the gospel: Easter means we are not alone in the pasture.
In our conflicted world, gone astray, those of us in the sheepfold are not alone, we will not scatter if we keep listening to the voice of the Shepherd. Our Sunday congregation hears a simple and reassuring message. Easter means we are not on our own in the pasture. The shepherd represents safety won through the Resurrection. In ancient times the sheepfold was a place of shelter at night, a protection from thieves and predators.
When Jesus says, “I am the gate,” he is identifying himself not only as shepherd, but the very entrance to safety. He becomes the gate through his death and resurrection. He stands between life and death, fear and hope, despair and trust. The fold is secure because our Shepherd has faced the wolf and conquered. So, the sheepfold in Easter time is not merely our comfort; it is a hard-won safety.
The Shepherd calls the sheep by name – Easter restores that intimate relationship. John says the shepherd “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” Notice he does not keep them nice and snug inside in safety. It’s about being led into life again: into mission, service, forgiveness and hope.
Recall another resurrection story (John 20:16) where Jesus calls Mary Magdalene by name in the garden. He does that for us as well. He knows each of us uniquely by name – our fears and wounds. Still, he calls us forward.
“I came so that they might have life” – that is the heart of the Easter message. The resurrection is not only about life after death; it is about abundant life now. What would “abundant life” look like for you? It might include courage in uncertainty; trust in God’s care; compassion for others; hope that refuses to die. Easter is not just an event in the past. It is very present tense: living under the care of a living and loving Shepherd.
We have the comforting words of Psalm 23 for our “Responsorial Psalm” today. It blends beautifully with the Gospel image of the shepherd and the sheepfold. Both texts speaking the same Easter language: the risen Christ is not absent, he is guiding, guarding and leading us to life.
The Gospel assures us that Jesus is our shepherd, calls us by name and leads us to safety. It encouraged unsure and fearful disciples that the risen Lord had not abandoned them: he is still their Shepherd. Psalm 23 can sound saccharine and sentimental. “The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” These are not just peaceful and pastoral lines; they are Easter words. They proclaim trust in the living God who walks with us, even though danger, disappointment and uncertainty.
The Psalm reminds us that the shepherd does more than watch from a distance. “He guides me in the right paths.... Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil for you are at my side.” There’s the Easter proclamation. The Good Shepherd has gone through the darkest valley, death itself, and has come out on the other side. Because he lives we need not be afraid.
The images from the gospel and Psalm 23 speak of abundance, safety and belonging. They assure us that our lives are not wandering aimlessly, without purpose. We are being led, sometimes quickly, sometimes through shadow, but always toward life.
We pray today: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Like sheep we recognize the voice of our Shepherd inviting us to listen and follow, confident that goodness and kindness will pursue us all the days of our lives.
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042626.cfm
QUOTABLE
“The Good Shepherd knows his sheep, and his sheep know him; this knowledge is a matter of love.” — Pope Francis
In verdant pastures He gives me repose; beside restful waters He leads me —Psalm 23
In my work teaching seminars on Pope Francis’ Laudato Si encyclical and my subsequent work to help create the diocesan NC Catholics Caring for our Common Home, I have become increasingly convinced of the great love that God has expressed in giving us the home that we call Earth. It is a love that we too often take for granted in our lack of love in caring for this unique gift. We have a very small group here at Cathedral called Laudato Si Circle that is trying to spark this love of the earth. To that end, we are renaming the group, Cathedral’s Earth Care Community, and we are inviting more parishioners to join.
If you have any doubts about the uniqueness of Earth, listen to these words from Astronaut Victor Glover aboard Artemis II on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026:
“I don’t have anything prepared. I’m glad you brought it up, though; I think these observances are important. As we are so far from Earth and looking back at the beauty of creation. For me, I think one of the really important, personal perspectives that I have up here is I can really see Earth as one thing. When I read The Bible and look at all of the amazing things that were done for us, who were created, you have this amazing place. This spaceship.
“You guys are talking to us because we’re in a spaceship really far from Earth, but you’re on a spaceship called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe. Maybe the distance we are from you makes you think what we’re doing is special, but we’re the same distance from you. And I’m trying to tell you – just trust me – you are special.
“In all of this emptiness – this is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe – you have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist together. I think, as we go into Easter Sunday, thinking about all the cultures all around the world, whether you celebrate it or not, whether you believe in God or not, this is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same thing, and that we’ve gotta get through this together.”
“Together on this spaceship called Earth,” contact socialconcern@hnojnc.org to join Cathedral’s Earth Care Community.
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home. From today’s Psalm response:
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; and refreshes my soul.
Reflection: When we allow ourselves to be led by the Good Shepherd, our restless hearts grow calmer, and our weary souls are renewed. Trusting his care, we discover that he is already guiding us toward the peace we seek.
So, we ask ourselves:
· Where in my life right now do I most need the Lord’s guidance and rest? · When have I experienced God refreshing my spirit during a difficult or stressful time? · How can I make space this week to follow the Shepherd more attentively? · POSTCARDS TO DEATH-ROW INMATES
“One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out.” ---Pope Francis
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to: Richard Cagle #0061528 (On death row since 6/16/1995 ) William Herring #0180479 (7/22/1995) Leslie Warren #0487180 (10/6/1995)
Central Prison P.O. 247 Phoenix M.D 21131 (While the prison is in Raleigh mail for inmates is processed at this address)
For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org
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