Contributed by Father Frank Reitzel, C.R.
Father Frank was ordained in June of 1949. His Resurrectionist ministries have included teaching at
St. Jerome’s High School in Kitchener, Scollard Hall, North Bay, Resurrection College, Kitchener, St.
Mary’s College in Kentucky and University of Calgary. Father Frank also participated in Teaching and
Pastoral Work at University of Calgary and the University of Western, Ontario. After serving as pastor
at St. Francis Parish in Kitchener and St. Patrick’s Parish in Bermuda, Father Frank retired to the
Manor in Waterloo in 2001. He continues to do ministry when he receives requests from parishes.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
(April 17, 2016)
GATHERING TIME
Introduction to the Word:
Instead of a personal anecdote I would like to follow where our readings are now leading. In
the Gospel Jesus has declared: “My sheep hear my voice”. These powerful words lead to a most
significant teaching that has only just begun to unfold in our day and age. I like to classify it as ‘the
Priesthood of the people of God’.
After listening to the latest world news reports—seeing and hearing the seemingly endless
conflicts in so many parts of the world—I for one, feel a little more than disturbed. The disturbing
issues on the world scene are so varied and so extreme I would not recognize a legitimate Saviour if I
saw one. I am sure many of us who listen to the same news highlights night after night must feel as I
do. We long for and pray for a “divine rescuer,” but would we recognize such a one if we saw or heard
one?
One thing we do know for certain, as we anguish over the world’s problems and imminent
dangers: the Easter message of today’s Gospel is most timely and welcome. Because Jesus Christ has
risen from the dead as he had promised, Jesus Christ is Lord of heaven and earth. He is with us always
in Word and Spirit. To point to this fact of Christ’s Risen presence, there is a simple story told by the
world-famous evangelist (now retired) Billy Graham, to illustrate that God (or Christ) is with us
whether we are aware of it or not.
“Whenever anyone asks me how I can be so certain about who and what God really is, I am
reminded of the story of the little boy who was out flying a kite. It was a fine day for kite flying, the
wind was brisk, and large billowy clouds were blowing across the sky. The kite went up and up until it
was entirely hidden by the clouds.
‘What are you doing?’ a man asked the little boy.
‘I’m flying a kite,’ he replied.
‘Flying a kite?’ the man said. ‘How can you be sure? You can’t see the kite.’
‘No,’ said the boy, ‘I can’t see it, but every little while I feel a tug, so I know for sure that it’s
there!’
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Don’t take anyone else’s word for God. Find God for yourself by inviting Jesus Christ to come
into your life. Then you, too, will know by the wonderful, warm tug on your heartstrings that God is
there for sure.”
This Sunday is traditionally referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday. The readings today help us
focus on concepts of leadership that fall upon all of us whether we are leaders or followers. It was—
and is—the title Jesus chose for Himself; “I am the Good Shepherd”. And for our meditation He
added, today, a most profound statement: “I and the Father are one.”
Warm-up Activity (about 8–10 minutes):
All Christians need to manifest a certain kind of leadership. You are invited talk about some of the
notions you have about the concept of leadership/Priesthood. Try to reply to one or two of the
following questions that is closest to your experience.
i) What do you consider the most challenging leadership responsibility you have ever had? Explain.
ii) What qualities of leadership do you think are fitting for a person who calls him/herself a Christian?
iii) Have failures in leadership been partly responsible for the current scandals in the Church?
The Table of the Word
Where Do We Find Good Leaders?
The servant–leader model of Christians comes from the example of Jesus, the Lamb who shepherds
[i.e. pastors]. Today's Gospel demonstrates how the leader, once meekly led to the slaughter, is now
the Lamb who sits in the place of highest authority. It demonstrates also that the leader who is not
prepared to make personal sacrifices for the common good will have difficulty being an effective
leader. The one who seeks personal power or pleasure more than the common good will almost always
fail the people he is called to serve.
Raising the right kind of leaders (priestly people) is the responsibility of the entire community,
including pastors, parents, teachers, and people in authority. The most effective way to acquire
competent leaders, whether in our government or in our Church, is to be such people ourselves
(according to spiritual writer Alice Camille). Our readings today suggest that whatever the nature of
our leadership, the constant motivating principle for our behaviour must always be “service with love"
as modeled by Christ.
Penitential Rite
Leader: Jesus tells us today that his sheep hear his voice. There are many diverse voices in our
modern-day world, so it is difficult to discern the true voice from the false, the helpful from the hurtful.
May the Lord Jesus open our ears to receive his voice and respond to his word so that our mouths will
clearly proclaim the Good News of the Gospel, to the praise and glory of his Name.
Lord Jesus, you call us to follow you,
Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you and the Father are one,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you bring salvation to the ends of the earth, Lord, have mercy.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION TIME (45 minutes)
(As Christians we believe that the WORD of God we hear proclaimed each Sunday is an empowering Word, and
that God is present in the Word proclaimed. This is the Word that God wants us to hear today. The dynamic of
the Small Christian Community, namely, reflecting on our life-story within the context of this Word, and sharing
the insights of these reflections, is such that God’s Spirit becomes present, and the gifts of the Spirit are
experienced as empowering and life-giving.)
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FIRST READING (Acts 13:14, 43–52)
Paul and Barnabas went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day they went
into the synagogue and sat down.
When the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed
Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jewish
officials saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was
spoken by Paul. Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the
word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of
eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you
may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had
been destined for eternal life became believers.
Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. But the officials incited the devout women of
high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and drove them out of their region. So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and
went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING (Revelation 7:9, 14b–17)
After this I, John, looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation,
from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in
white, with palm branches in their hands.
And one of the elders then said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they
have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple,
and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no
more; the sun will not strike them, or any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will
be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every
tear from their eyes.”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL (John 10:27–30)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and
they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is
greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
A very effective way to pray with Sacred Scripture is to ask oneself: “What is the Risen Lord saying to
me in this text?”
Since I believe that the text comes to me through the Holy Spirit, a gift of the Risen Lord Jesus, I know
it is a privilege through which He still speaks each passage, each word, to me this very hour.
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“LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY”
This imperative, coming from a bumper sticker has been suggested as an apt caption for today’s
scripture readings. It offers a challenge to would-be believers, as if to say, “Identify yourself.” It
confirms the fact that more than a few who profess the Christian faith are inclined to act like fencesitters. The name suggests the notion that “This way of faith will do until something else comes along.”
Either Jesus and his way of life are accepted and followed, or they are rejected. There is no middle
road. To live otherwise is to become an obstacle in the way of others.
In the first reading from Acts, Luke has the earliest disciples—Paul and Barnabas—opting for “costly
grace not cheap grace,” observes Patricia Sanchez (Scripture commentator). Graced by God and
empowered by the Spirit, the two disciples took their challenging message to the synagogue in Antioch
(in the centre of modern Turkey). Many of those assembled chose to believe and commit themselves to
Christ; others chose unbelief and vented their anger on the apostles.
The firm response of Paul and Barnabas made it clear that their missionary efforts to preach the Good
News would not be detoured by compromise or rejection or difficulties. Having resolved to live by
“costly grace,” they expanded the scope of their ministry to include the Gentiles and, in fact, to
embrace all people and all nations.
Today’s Gospel presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd. It was and remains one of the most endearing
symbols in the Christian tradition. This shepherd image gives reassurance that Jesus will never
abandon his followers; for this reason, most Catholics choose the Shepherd Psalm (Psalm 23 – “The
Lord is my Shepherd”) as the Responsorial Psalm at funerals. We, the sheep of the flock, are under
his constant guidance and protection, and as baptized Christians, each of us is called sometimes to be a
leader and sometimes to be a follower. Ultimately, however, as John points out, our leader is Jesus, the
good shepherd who calls us to a life of mercy. A life so committed ensures the presence and supportive
power of the Spirit and serves as a life-line to the majesty of God. [Remember the little boy’s kite
line]. As comforting as it might be, it has another side of which we need to be aware: it tends to reduce
and even eliminate our personal (priestly) responsibility for our actions: “No matter what I do, the
Good Shepherd will take care of me.” It is one thing to feel confident that we are supported in doing
what we are called to do in life, but quite another to go through life dependent on others to take care of
us, to do our work for us, to solve our problems, and to make us feel good. Keep always in mind that
“Jesus never promised his followers that they would avoid suffering – only that suffering and death
were not the last word … Suffering and daily personal ‘deaths’ can lead to greater life for ourselves
and others if we are as creative as Paul was when he faced persecution.” (Sister Barbara Bozak, CSJ)
The challenge is that we human beings have such a terrifying need to belong that we often panic and
self-destruct. The good news is that you belong to Jesus, the Good Shepherd. In him you will find your
way home. All you have to do is to listen to the voice of God says theologian Karen Armstrong.
Biblical Learning Note: Note the expression in the Second Reading from the Book of Revelation,
“washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” This cannot be taken literally! If
in our world you were to wash something in blood, it becomes not white but red! So this is a kind of
allegorical symbol. Verses like this in the Bible tell us that some verses are not to be taken literally but
others are to be taken literally. The trick is to know which is which! So do not be upset if in Scripture
commentaries some verses are not taken literally; trust the biblical scholars to lead us.
(Allow 5-10 minutes to reflect on an attractive word or phrase)
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Guidelines For the Use of the Questions
 If your group does all the questions, that is fine as long as the discussions are
not superficial nor hurried or too brief. Discussion questions are not limited to
those given here: at times they can be proposed by someone in the group. Do not
allow questions that are not pertinent. Good questions can arise from within the
group.
 No question is preferable to any other.
 There are (normally) no right or wrong answers. Remember that the purpose
here is to think out loud or to promote discussion or to investigate Faith more
deeply or to clear up matters. The group is not a problem-solving group.
 You will not finish all the questions. That is fine; however, take the unused
questions and use them for your own personal reflection or prayer outside the
group.
1. (Acts of the Apostles: First Reading): “Since you reject (the Word of God),… we are now turning
to the Gentiles.”
a) Who taught you the most valuable lessons about how to lead, both by word and example?
b) Did you ever harbour ill feelings towards those of a religious denomination other than your
own, e.g., were you cautioned not to associate with them? Has anything changed in your adult
years? Comment.
c) Reflecting on the incidence of terrorism in different parts of the world: Are there any groups
of people you consider hostile to your religious beliefs, people you deem are not worthy of
being saved?
2. (John’s Gospel) “My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me.”
a) How do you feel being numbered among Jesus’ “sheep?” Do you find this image of
“sheep” comforting or disturbing, or both? Share your feelings.
b) In which environments—the home, school, workplace, neighbourhood—can you exercise
servant leadership?
c) When has a leader, who is in sympathy with your situation, made it possible for you to invest
more trust?
d) Why is the image of the Good Shepherd (for God and for Christ) so popular? Hearing the
voice of Jesus in every situation is not too difficult; but following it is. Re-read the last
paragraph of the Commentary, then share your own thoughts and feelings with the group
members.
CARING-PRAYING TIME: (15-20 minutes)
(This time is reserved for quiet prayer as well as for an action-response to the communal reflections.
The intent is to ‘outreach’ to the larger community. The facilitator should allow for a moderate pause
between each of the numbered suggestions for reflection and action.)
1. Word for the Week:
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Beside restful waters he leads me;
He refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23:1, 3)
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2. Suggestion for the week:
The Gospel tells us that Jesus simply walked away from those who misunderstood him. Do you
simply walk away from fruitless argument, or are you bent on proving that you are right and the
other is wrong? Do you complain more about what you don’t have rather than appreciate what
you do have? Are you more concerned about getting than giving?
Commit yourself to adult living. For Paul the Apostle, his love for the people he served was so
constant and so real that it was his safeguard against doing anything to harm or injure them (cf.
Michael Kent, Bringing the Word to Life).
3. Intercessions: (Response: Lord, hear our prayer)
That the Good Shepherd may raise up shepherds who will lead with courage and serve with love a
flock that belongs to Christ, we pray...
That the Good Shepherd will bless and aid our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we pray…
For all Christians everywhere, so that filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit, they may be a light to
all the nations of the world, we pray...
That this Christian Assembly and all those involved in Celebrating the Word may lead others to
follow the Good Shepherd to the springs of living water, we pray…
That our deceased may rejoice forever where God will wipe every tear from their eyes, we pray…
That worldly powers which persecute the disciples of Jesus may receive the grace of conversion, we
pray...
That all who teach and study in the religious education programs of our community may support one
another to continue in the grace of God, we pray...
That all who bear the burden of poverty or prejudice may experience in the kindness of others a
foretaste of God's reign, we pray...
That all of the suffering and diminished people of the world, such as the people in the Middle East,
may be comforted in their pain and supported in their rebuilding of lives and homes, their cities and
nations, we pray...
Let us pray together:
O God, the fountain of joy and of peace,
into the hands of your Risen Son you have entrusted
the destinies of peoples and of nations. Sustain us with the power
of your Spirit, that, amid the unceasing changes of life in this world, we may never become separated
from Christ our Good Shepherd, who guides us to springs of life-giving water and to green pastures.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever. Amen.
With hands and hearts united in gratitude for God’s favours to us today, we pray that all those
in our influence be moved to be open to your Word and your Spirit, as we pray united as one,
OUR FATHER…
Celebrating the Word, Resurrection Ministries of the Congregation of the Resurrection Ontario-Kentucky
Province (including the former Resurrection Centre), 265 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
N2L 3G7. (Celebrating the Word was founded by Father Frank Ruetz, C.R. deceased 2012). For information:
Toll Free: 1-877-242-7935. website: www.resurrectionists.ca. Email: [email protected]
The Scripture version used in this commentary is the New Revised Standard Version (copyrighted by the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA).
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