[stephenkhoo]

INCULCATE PRIESTLY VOCATION BY PUTTING OUT INTO THE DEEP IN CONTEMPLATING ON THE FACE OF JESUS
SCRIPTURE READINGS: ACTS 2:14, 36-41; 1 PETER 2:20-25; JOHN 10:1-10
http://www.universalis.com/20140511/mass.htm

Today, we are celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Easter and also Good Shepherd Sunday, which is also World Vocation Sunday. In order to understand the relationship of this threefold celebration, we must situate ourselves in the context of our Easter celebration. What is the crux of the message of Easter? This was the same question that Peter addressed to the Jews, “Who can this man be?” In other words, what does it mean with respect to Jesus of Nazareth, who went about doing good, who claimed Himself to be identified with the Father’s cause but was put to death on the cross and then raised from the dead by the Father as seen by many?

Having reflected on the death and the resurrection of Jesus and encountering Him alive especially in the celebration of the Eucharist, we must certainly come to this same conclusion that they arrived at. Indeed, if the crucified one who claimed to speak and act on behalf of God, and then condemned as a criminal but now raised by the Father, it means that Jesus’ words and deeds are true. Hence, Jesus is truly the Anointed One who shares in the Lordship of God.

As such, Jesus is the personal representative of Yahweh. Jesus revealed the Father in person. He revealed the Father as the Shepherd of Israel prophesied in the Old Testament. As the second reading suggests Jesus is the innocent Lamb of God that was led to the slaughterhouse. Indeed, “He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” Jesus is indeed the Good Shepherd who leads us to God.

As the Good Shepherd, Jesus is taking the place of God who is the Shepherd of Israel. This explains why St John had Jesus saying, “I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. …I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.’”

If indeed, we come to realize this truth, then like the Jews on “hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, What must we do, brothers?” Peter responded, “You must repent and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Indeed, repentance and baptism is the consequence of recognizing Jesus as the Risen Lord and therefore our Good Shepherd and Saviour. To repent is to give up our old way of life and turn to Jesus our Good Shepherd who will lead us to greener pasture of life. Being baptised is to put on Christ and acquire the Spirit of Jesus given to us the moment we accept him. Truly, as St Peter urges the early Christians, “You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.”

But the Good News that Jesus is our Good Shepherd leading us to new life is not simply given to us only. Salvation and fullness of life in Christ is a gift entrusted to us for the whole world. St Peter recognized the obligation to announce Him as the Gift of God for the world when he said, “the promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.” Consequently, there is urgency for us proclaim Jesus as the Shepherd of life and love for the world.

But how can we as Christians powerfully proclaim Jesus as the Shepherd of life and the Saviour to the world unless we are strengthened and nurtured in our faith? For if we Catholics are truly His sheep, then as Jesus said, “the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.”

The stark reality is that we are not hearing the voice of Jesus. Although we claim to be Catholics, many of us do not really know Jesus because the lives we live contradict our claims. Instead of listening to the voice of the Shepherd leading us to eternal life, we only hear the voice of the secular world, which is promoting a culture of death, egotism and materialism. We are even subscribing to the values promoted by the world, values that are short-lived and even contrary to what they claim to give. Many of these values are against the promotion of life. Abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research involving embryos and cloning are against life. Same sex union, homosexual behaviour, contraceptives, permissive sex, premarital sex are all against the culture of true love and against the unity of marriage and the family. Materialism and consumerism give people a false sense of satisfaction when their hearts and spirits remain thirsty.

Yes, the Church needs shepherds in order that our Catholics can bring Christ to the world, especially as Jesus said, “there are still many who have not yet heard of his voice.” Indeed, Pope John Paul II constantly reminded us that as Church, we need to be re-evangelized first so that we can be evangelizers in the world. We need to renew the faith and the spiritual life of our Catholics.

So what must we do? The Holy Father tells us that we must “put out into the deep!” We must reflect on the vocation to follow Christ and live out our baptismal life more faithfully and devoutly. We must strive to deepen our relationship with the Lord, hearing His voice especially by “cultivating a deep spirit of prayer nourished by a daily listening to the Word of God.”

Indeed, the Holy Father wrote, “whoever opens his heart to Christ will not only understand the mystery of his own existence, but also that of his own vocation; he will bear the abundant fruit of grace. The first fruit will be his growth in holiness, which begins with the gift of Baptism and continues even to the fullness of perfect love. Living the gospel … the Christian becomes always increasingly capable of loving in the way that Christ loved. He will commit himself to persevering in unity with his brothers within the communion of the Church and he will place himself at the service of the new evangelization to proclaim and bear witness to the wonderful truth of the saving love of God.”

For the young people, to “put out into the deep” means to “listen attentively to the teachings of Christ, fix your eyes on his face, and persevere in listening to his Word. Allow him to focus your search and your aspirations, all your ideals and the desires of your heart.” Perhaps if you listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd in you, you might come to realize that He is calling you to a priestly or religious life, to share with him the task of bringing abundant life to all. Do not think that you are not called. The Lord will not leave the harvest and his flock unattended. He has sent the labourers but unfortunately many are unable to hear his voice today and if they have heard, they lack the courage to respond generously.

As for parents and Christian educators, catechists, you must never forget that “God has entrusted to you the peculiar task of guiding young people on the path to holiness.” At the same time, for vocations to take root, you must be an example of generous fidelity to Christ. Without living an authentic Christian life and giving a Christian ambience, our young people will not be able to hear the voice of the Shepherd calling. Indeed, only when “adult Christians show themselves capable of revealing the face of Christ through their own words and example,” could young people “be more ready to welcome His demanding message, stamped as it is with the mystery of the Cross.”

Thus, as parents and educators, you must “encourage them to ‘put out into the deep’ without hesitation, responding eagerly to the invitation of the Lord.” It is true that not all are called to the consecrated life or ministerial priesthood. It is not for us to decide or impose a priestly or religious vocation on them. It is a calling from the Lord and our task is to make it possible for them to discern their path and calling in life. Whether they are called to family life or other vocations in life, it is but the one vocation of love common to all but lived out differently.

Yes, let us hear the words of Jesus to Peter again, “Put out into the deep.” Let us hearken to the words of Mary who said to us in Cana, “Do whatever he tells you”. Only by responding to our calling in life, be it a priestly or religious calling or otherwise, can we find real peace, happiness and fulfillment.

Written by The Most Rev William Goh