On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the liturgy presents us with the figure of the Good Shepherd, an image that touches the heart of every believer. In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter speaks boldly to the people, proclaiming that Jesus, crucified and risen, is Lord. The crowd, struck by his words, asks: 'What must we do?' Peter's answer is clear and direct: 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ' (Acts 2:38).
Conversion is not just a change of ideas, but a deep transformation of the heart. It is recognizing that we need God and that He offers us a new life. Baptism is not a mere ritual, but a washing that purifies us and makes us new creations, incorporating us into the body of Christ. Like lost sheep, we are invited to return to the fold, where the Shepherd has given his life for us.
The Voice of the Shepherd Who Knows Us by Name
The relationship between Jesus and his disciples is unique: it is a bond of mutual knowledge and love. Jesus says: 'I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me' (John 10:14). This knowledge is not theoretical but experiential: the shepherd calls each sheep by name, and the sheep recognize his voice.
Jesus' voice has a special timbre. Think of the Samaritan woman at the well: after her conversation with him, she runs to tell others: 'Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?' (John 4:29). Or the disciples on the road to Emmaus, who confess: 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road?' (Luke 24:32). His voice speaks to the heart, brings peace, but also challenges us to change.
How to Recognize His Voice Today?
In a world full of noise and conflicting voices, discerning the voice of the Good Shepherd is not always easy. But Jesus has left us precious tools: God's Word, prayer, and the community of believers. When we read Scripture with an open heart, when we pause in silence before the Lord, when we listen to our brothers and sisters in faith, we can learn to recognize that voice that guides us to abundant life.
The Shepherd Who Gives His Life
The hallmark of the good shepherd is that he is not a hired hand. The hired hand, when he sees the wolf coming, abandons the sheep and runs away because he does not care for them. Jesus, however, says: 'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep' (John 10:11). He holds nothing back but gives himself completely out of love.
This love is manifested on the cross, but also in Jesus' daily life: in his service, his compassion, his teaching. He fed his people with manna in the desert, multiplied the loaves and fish, turned water into wine, raised Lazarus. Every gesture is a sign of his shepherd's love that never abandons his flock.
Following the Shepherd, Not Self-Interest
Today, sadly, even in the Church there are false shepherds who seek their own interest rather than the good of the sheep. Saint Paul, on the other hand, is a model of selfless shepherding: to avoid being a burden, he worked with his hands as a tentmaker. He could say: 'I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing' (Acts 20:33). The true shepherd does not exploit but serves; he does not seek power but humbly guides.
Living as Sheep of the Good Shepherd
Being sheep of the Good Shepherd means listening to his voice and following him. It is not about belonging to a party or a Church as an institution, but about having a living relationship with the risen Christ. This involves trust, obedience, and love. As the psalm says: 'The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want' (Psalm 23:1). In Him we find peace, security, and guidance.
Every day we are called to choose whether to follow the shepherd's voice or other voices that lead us astray. Conversion is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. As Pope Leo XIV reminds us in his recent exhortation, the Good Shepherd calls us to step out of ourselves and live in communion with others. In this Easter season, let us renew our commitment to walk in Christ's footsteps, trusting that He leads us to green pastures and still waters.
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