Homily – Fourth Sunday of Easter (C)

As I write this homily for the week, we have received great news from Rome – Habemus Papam – we have a new Pope.  This is wonderful news for the entire Church following the passing of our late Holy Father, Pope Francis, on April 21, 2025.

The first word from our new Pope is indeed what the world needs most at this moment: “peace.”  He said, “This was the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God.  I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are – and all peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.”

As we celebrate this Fourth Sunday of Easter – Good Shepherd Sunday – the new Pope’s greeting powerfully reiterates the truth that we have only one Good Shepherd: Jesus Christ.  No one but Him can claim such a sacred title.  Everyone in the Church of Jesus, including the Pope, is a sheep of His flock.  The encounter between Jesus and Peter in last week’s Gospel likely serves as a strong reminder to the successor of Peter: “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17) – not your sheep.  The vocation of the Pope, while different in scale and role, shares the same purpose as every other vocation in the Church: to offer tender care for one another.

In this weekend’s Gospel, Jesus offers two criteria for being an authentic member of His flock: “My sheep hear my voice… and they follow me.”

“My sheep hear my voice.”  We cannot become genuine disciples of Jesus without first learning to hear His voice amid the many “noisy” voices of the world.  The determination to listen attentively to Him is essential in our daily lives as Christians.  In the work we do, the decisions we make, the discernment we engage in, and the paths we choose – the voice of Jesus must be present.  Without it, our actions risk becoming uncharitable, unmerciful, and unloving.  As Christians, we must constantly be reminded of this.

Discipleship is incomplete without the second criterion: “My sheep follow me.”  I was speaking with a friend a few days ago, and he expressed his amazement at how all the secular media outlets were drawn to the late Holy Father, Pope Francis, after his passing.  It was a significant moment not only for the Church but for the entire world.  What was it in that man that could stir such deep attention from across the globe, if not the way he faithfully followed the heart of Jesus – offering peace and hope through concrete acts of charity and love?

“To hear and to follow” are the two key actions that each Christian must discern and embrace in order to be an authentic disciple of Jesus.  This calling is not exclusive to any particular vocation but is essential for every Christian vocation.

Let us pray for our new Pope.  Let us also pray for ourselves as we work together to build the Kingdom of God on earth – a place where all may see and taste the goodness and mercy of God.

By Fr Sang Ho