Are we Ready to Follow the Footsteps of the Good Shephard?

In 1964, Pope Paul VI established the 4th Sunday of Easter as Vocation Sunday. All of us are called to vocation. All the readings today show the shepherd that cares for his flock and we reflect on the Image of Jesus as the good shepherd, who takes care of all of us, his flock. The responsibility of a shepherd - he leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts and protects his flock, no matter what. In fact, this responsibility also belongs to all of us- all who are entrusted with the care of another. This is our calling, our vocation.When we think of vocation, we think of the religious but actually, all of us have vocations. Anyone who is entrusted with care of others is a shepherd. The late Pope Francis said that every vocation should offer the world a sign of God’s hope for every person. Every vocational call should ignite in us a desire to love others and to serve them, rather than a means of self-promotion. Whatever our vocation in life, we must do it sincerely for God’s glory, not for self-gratification. Let us follow the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who sacrifices for his sheep.- Sunday Homily by Fr. Sikstus Bapa Atawolo, C.Ss.R. (11 May 2025)