With Opened Bible
Good Shepherd Sunday
“It was necessary that the Word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life , we now turn to the Gentiles.” (Acts of the Apostles 13:46)
The fourth Sunday of Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday. On this Sunday, the Church also prays for priestly vocations, which are the divine callings for individuals to serve as priests in the Church, following the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The Gospel draws our attention to the Person of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who tenderly cares for the flock. "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27) By saying "my sheep," Jesus assures us of his nurturing love, inheriting the divine titles of the Old Testament.
In some Psalms, as in the Prophets, the Shepherd is God. He saved Israel from Egypt and planted it in the holy land of Canaan: 'O Shepherd of Israel, lend an ear, you who guide Joseph like a flock!' (Psalm 80:2) The Shepherd, a metaphor used in the Bible, represents God's love for guiding, protecting, and nourishing His people. Just as a shepherd looks after his scattered flock, God promises to look after His people, rescuing them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. This metaphor of the Shepherd is a powerful image of God's care and love for His people.
But who are these people? Who is the flock? Israel was the first chosen according to the Old Testament of Abraham. "You shall be my people, and I will be your God." That is the formula of the Covenant. (Cf. Jeremiah 30:22; Exodus 6:7; Ezekiel 36:28; Hosea 2:23) However, Israel closed its heart to the prophetc Word announcing the Messiah. It turned its eyes away and withered away in indiference. Jesus appeared as the Word made fesh, but Israel, his people, did not receive him. (Cf. John 1:11). The Book of Acts of the Apostles sheds light on this subject when the apostle declared: "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentles." (Acts of the Apostles 13:46)
The closing of their hearts opened the way to salvation for the Gentles, the pagan nations. Thus is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "I have made you a light to the Gentles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 42:6). Jesus, the light of the world, is proclaimed to all (pagan) nations. Thus, the Church, including each one of us, will be the New Israel built not on the Covenant and the law but on Christ's new and eternal sacrifice. The Christans become "light for the world" through Jesus the Light. (Mathew 5:14)
The power to witness the light is entrusted to the Church, the New and spiritual Israel.
