Celebrating the World Vocation Sunday

 Texts 

Acts 4:5-12
 Psalm 23 
John 10:11-18



Vocation means what you are called by God to be and do. Everyone has a vocation. While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates her attention on raising up shepherds for God's people - vocations to Holy Orders (the priesthood and diaconate) and to the religious life - while encouraging all who are discerning their vocation to pray more earnestly that they may hear and respond to God's call. The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Vocations Sunday or Good Shepherd Sunday, and is marked as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The purpose of this day is to fulfil Jesus' instruction to “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38). 

Exegeting the Text 
‘I am the good shepherd’ This shepherd image reminds me of the bishop’s charge when we were ordained priests 21 years ago. This is how the bishop’s charge to those to be ordained priests reads, “…following the Good Shepherd, you will care for the sick, bring back those who have strayed, guide his people through life, and prepare them for death and for life to come, that they may be saved through Christ for ever.” The charge concludes with this assurance; “This ministry will be your great joy and privilege. It is also a weighty responsibility which none would dare to undertake except for the call from God. To you whom he calls, he will always give his strength.” In today’s gospel Jesus contrasts the good shepherd from a hired hand. The Good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, how? 
1. A shepherd protects sheep from attack or predators
 
2. A shepherd feeds. Nourishing food keeps the sheep strong.

3. A shepherd leads.
 
A shepherd heals


Jesus as the Good Shepherd contrasts Himself with a hired servant who does not own the sheep, he abandons the sheep and runs away when attacked by wolves.


Prophet Ezekiel describes well these hired servants in Chapter 34; “Woe to you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves and not the sheep. Shouldn’t shepherds feed the sheep? You’re eating the best parts, clothing yourselves with the wool, and slaughtering the home-grown sheep without having fed the sheep! You haven’t strengthened the weak, treated the sick, set broken bones, regathered the scattered, or looked for the lost. Instead, you’ve dominated them with brutal force and ruthlessness.”

Conclusion 

As we pray for those discerning their call to sacred ministry, in the Diocese in Europe; 24 people are in training, 9 candidates will proceed to selection conferences known as Bishop’s Advisory Panels. This Summer, seven candidates will be ordained deacons while three deacons will be ordained priests. Let us commit them to God for strength and wisdom. Let us conclude with a Collective Prayer Heavenly Father, we ask you to send labourers into your harvest. Inspire, in the hearts of your people, vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. Bless our families with a spirit of generosity, so that those whom you call have the courage to give themselves to your Church in faith. Through Christ our Lord. Amen































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