Sunday the 26th of April 2026 - The Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14a, 36-41/ Ps 23(22)/ 1 Peter 2:20b-25/ John 10:1-10

Imagine the terror that set in on Holy Thursday when Jesus had been arrested. His closest friends, the ones who had spent three years with Him, eating with Him, and watching Him perform miracles, fled to the locked upper room. Peter, the man who had just sworn he would die for Jesus, was so terrified that he denied even knowing Him. He was a sheep who had lost his shepherd, paralysed by the wolves closing in around him. Then, only a short time later, as we hear in the first reading today, Peter is standing in the middle of Jerusalem, no longer hiding, but boldly proclaiming the Gospel to thousands of people, the same crowd who had called for Jesus to be crucified. Something dramatic had happened. How did a terrified runaway turn into a fearless leader? Peter had finally learned to recognise and trust the voice of the Risen Shepherd. Once he let the Holy Spirit in and heard that voice calling him forward, the fear vanished. The scattered, frightened sheep became fearless witnesses for Jesus.

The voice of the Good Shepherd is calling out our names through all the noise of the world. He is calling us to follow Him into the green pastures of eternal life we sing about in that familiar psalm today. In the readings today we are called to life, an abundant life. Jesus, our brave shepherd, is calling us, His humble flock, to join him on the journey through this life. Are we able to hear His voice through the distractions life throws at us? The world pours scorn on those who seek to be guided as sheep. Society tells us to be our own masters and to trust only ourselves. The culture around us mocks the idea of submitting to a shepherd's loving guidance. But we know the truth. The protection of Jesus, our shepherd, is the only sure way of finding genuine lasting joy. His guidance is the only path to the fresh and green pastures of eternal life.

In the Gospel from John today, Jesus makes the wonderful promise that we will have abundant life, but we can only find it through Him. This is not about simply surviving in a fallen sinful world but truly living with eternal purpose. We must be wary of those who pose as shepherds but seek to lead us astray. There are many voices in our modern world promising happiness, wealth, and security. These false shepherds abandon us when the wolves of despair and difficulty arrive. We must always seek to be close to the true shepherd who protects and guides us. Jesus is our ultimate shepherd because He feeds us with His own body and blood. He gave His life for us, his sheep, so that we could be saved for life in abundance. This is a love that stops at nothing to bring us home. Jesus suffered and died to bring salvation into a sinful, broken world. He took the wounds upon Himself so that our souls could finally be healed and restored.

When we listen and respond to the call of the shepherd wonderful works can be achieved by the Holy Spirit. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter, the simple fisherman, an ordinary man who had run away in fear was now filled with the Holy Spirit. He was able to stand up and witness fearlessly. Proclaiming boldly the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to the same crowds that crucified Him. Using many words, Peter convinced thousands who were baptised that same day. The power of the Holy Spirit working within the Church is clear to see. This same power is still here today. God wants to fill us with His fearless spirit to change the world around us. This incredible power will only become effective through us if we, like Peter, also fearlessly witness to our faith. We cannot be passive spectators to the great message of the Gospel.

Sometimes it feels that we are ashamed of our faith. We try to keep it quietly to ourselves at work, at school, or among our friends. We worry too much about what others will think of our beliefs. We cannot and must not keep this truth a secret. The message of redemption is meant for everyone. God desires every person to know the joy of being found by the Good Shepherd. It is through us that God intends for this message of salvation to be spread. If we fail to cooperate with God, the message will not be heard. We are the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus in the world today. This is never going to be an easy calling. The world will not always applaud us for speaking the truth in love. As the second reading from Saint Peter reminds us, we too might be called to suffer for the sake of spreading the Gospel. We are taking this life-saving message to a world that would often rather not hear it. People might reject, misunderstand, or pour scorn on our witnessing. Following our brave shepherd means we might also have to embrace the cross.

Suffering with Jesus for the sake of his message should be seen as a privilege, we should be ready to endure hardships for the sake of Jesus. It is an honour to walk where our brave shepherd has walked. By His wounds, we have been healed, and by our patient endurance of our own challenges, others will see Jesus in us. The Church teaches us that Jesus is the door to the sheepfold. There is no other way to eternal life. We need not look anywhere else or hide this door from the world.

What could be achieved through the Holy Spirit if we stepped out in faith like Peter did at Pentecost? Our families, workplaces, our communities would be changed, transformed. People would be turned back to God. God's plan for His flock would be realised. God is inviting us to be fearless witnesses. He wants to take our simple, ordinary lives and do the seemingly impossible through us. We cannot sit back, play it safe and blend in with the crowd. Today we must listen to the true shepherd, not letting fear prevent us from sharing the good news with at least someone this week. Do not let the world's scorn silence the incredible message of salvation entrusted to us through baptism. We must trust the brave shepherd to guide us through the valley of the shadow of death. May God bless us abundantly as we follow His voice with courage and joy as Peter and the first disciples did.

God Bless Brendan.