Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, May 3, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, May 3, 2020

Readings for 4th Sunday of Easter A
FIRST READING: Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6. "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want"
SECOND READING: 1 Pet 2:20b-25
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 10:14). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord. I know my sheep and mine know me.
GOSPEL: John 10:1-10
 

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 779033308. LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN - SEPTEMBER 14, 2017: The modern painting of Good Shepherd in church St. Mary le Bow from 20. cent. Photo by Renata Sedmakova.
++++
Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, May 3, 2020, by clicking this link here https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/easter-4a-2020-episode-226  (EPISODE: 226)
+++++

Prologue (Fr Paul): Jesus gives an example of himself as a good shepherd, the perfect leader. Sadly, the world has witnessed plenty of examples of bad leaders, who were motivated not PRIMARILY or the good of others, but their own ambitions and ego.   Christ, instead,  puts his people first, he knows them personally, and he is not in it for himself, and he literally "gives of himself completely"  for our sakes.  What a superb example and model for leadership/,/, Christ uses the image of the 'shepherd BEING the gate, ---- (there would not be a timber gate, but rather.. the shepherd themselves, would lie across the opening of the sheepfold and their body would act as a human gate, Nothing could pass by without disturbing the shepherd, who would risk life and limb to protect his sheep. The true leader puts themselves on the line. The good shepherd literally puts his body on the line, for his beloved.  

+++++
The homily this weekend will be given by Fr. Peter Dillon. 

One of the things I would really like to know is what Jesus voice sounded like. I imagine he spoke with a measured pitch and gentle volume. Not harsh but definitely wanting to impress upon his listeners that he was both honest and serious, not wanting to use a hard-sell approach, not wanting to soften the impact or apologise for the strength of his message. The first thing newborn babies hear is the sound of their parent's voice. They can discern that voice from many others, knowing that is comforting and safe. Whenever they hear that voice, even though they don't always understand what is being said, they know that everything will be alright.

There are some singers in the world whose voice we recognise immediately. People like Adele, Michael Buble, Andrea Bocelli, and Elvis. One of the most trusted people in the world is Sir David Attenborough. Even without meeting him, you can tell from his distinctive tone, concern and authority that he is telling us the truth.

They have distinctive voices that, when we hear them, seem to draw us in to listen. Sometimes teachers, politicians and every so often priests do the same. Something about the timbre and tone of their voice, and the wisdom of the content, make us accept their message as sincere and honest.

Equally, there are the voices that we know right from the start are going to be shallow in truth and make us suspicious, even though they promise us something that will be for our benefit.  They can sound harsh and loud, overbearing and persuasive, yet strangely alluring and attractive. These voices too seem to lead us, but not always in a good direction.

In a world of many voices it is increasingly difficult to know which voices to believe and follow.

With so many conflicting voices, messages and images, we get tired of trying to be careful. We sometimes give up or give in and so we listen to the most tempting voice. The one that tells us how to be wealthy, or thin, or beautiful and powerful, without having to go to too much trouble - the voice that tells us we can have all we want and all we need do is hand over our choices to someone who will go to all the trouble for us. Who wouldn't want that?

In the midst of this comes a voice that suggests we can be both poor and happy. We can be content with loving faithful relationships with just one person. We can be happy by being of service to others. Why would we trust that voice? Why listen to a voice that goes against making the easy choices? A voice that is difficult to hear in a world that seeks to do things the easy and comfortable way.

Sometimes it's only towards the end of our lives when we have looked, listened, loved and learned about life that the voice of Christ can sound soothing, and reassuring. It can offer us explanation and direction because it is mixed with the other truths we have learned throughout our lives, often learnt the hard way. It's really only through trial and error, through tasting and seeing that wisdom starts to settle and we see the sense that we have been hiding from.

Every parent would love to save their child from having to discover this truth the hard way, but why would a child want to listen when the easy softer way is more convenient and immediate.

Of course, it is never too late to find that truth, but it has wasted some valuable time. What's so hard for us to comprehend early in life, is that life to the full is offered all the time, but we always thought there was an easier way.

Clearly we know that many people did not want to hear the truth from Jesus. He was simply wanting to tell them how to be human, but to be human does not mean the same as being human. By virtue of our birth, we are all human beings, but we have to learn what it means to be truly human in our world.
Jesus teaches us that. He takes our inhumanity on his back and carries it to the cross. His way to the cross is his most authentic voice. It speaks of the shepherd wanting to die for his sheep. He dies for what he believes in.

Jesus' way of being human keeps us all on our toes. Sometimes we do appreciate that his way is not strange to our condition; it is the human condition at its finest, but it takes some living of it to discover its truthfulness. Other times we look to ourselves and feel helpless to move with that generosity of spirit. But the voice of Jesus forever calls us. It calls to a deep place within us. A place that recognises the voice of the one who loves us with an everlasting love. And when we hear that voice, we know that it does not belong to a stranger.
+++
References:

Homily by fr. Peter Dillon.

prologue - Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 779033308. LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN - SEPTEMBER 14, 2017: The modern painting of Good Shepherd in church St. Mary le Bow from 20. cent. Photo by Renata Sedmakova.


Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A  (Sunday, May 3, 2020)  (EPISODE: 226 )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
+++++++++++++
{{How are you today}}

As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you are the image of the unseen God: Lord, have mercy.//You are the firstborn of all creation: Christ, have mercy//You are the head of the body, the Church: Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.++++++++++++++++++++
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PREFACE: Easter III
Euch Prayer II
Communion side.  pwk:  LH
++++
{Cheers and thanks everyone for this time of prayer and reflection - I hope you have a blessed week.}

Go forth, the Mass is ended.

++++++++
Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants  — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009,  The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful -   " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'.   E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The ….Gloria,  copyright 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Today I Arise" - For Patricia Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

May God bless and keep you. 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++