Monday of the 4th week of Eastertide
Gospel: John 10:11-18In today’s Gospel, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Here we see the true face of the Risen Christ. He is risen not apart from His sacrifice, but through it. The wounds of His love remain the marks of His identity. He is the Shepherd who did not save from a distance, but entered danger, suffering, and death in order to bring His flock into life. Unlike the hired hand who flees, Christ remains faithful when the wolf comes, because His love is stronger than fear. The Resurrection reveals that such self-giving love is victorious: the Shepherd who laid down His life has taken it up again and now lives forever to guide, protect, and gather His people. He knows each sheep personally and calls each by name. During the Easter season, we are invited to trust this living Shepherd, to follow His voice above every false voice, and to rest in the certainty that the One who died for us now lives to lead us into abundant life. Let’s reflect: Easter is entrusting ourselves to the Good Shepherd who laid down His life, rose again, and now leads us into abundant life.
Don Giorgio