April 30, 2023 (Year A) Fourth Sunday of Easter
Today in the First Reading (Acts 2:14a, 36-41) we hear the final portion of Peter’s speech at Pentecost. It is a lecture on receiving forgiveness and finding the way to Jesus. It is an apt lead in to the Gospel where Jesus, too, speaks of avoiding sin and entering into his fold with the right behavior and actions.
In the initial portions of Peter’s speech, Peter had introduced those in the crowd to Jesus – who he was, what he had done, and his relation to the Father and Spirit. Many were already familiar with the Jesus’ story that Peter conveyed, but even more were not familiar with how he taught the Father’s words, how he cured many people, how he performed miracles and signs, and most of all how he rose from the dead. After the crowds learn about Jesus they become curious about what they should do. Hearing of the crucifixion has made them feel remorseful. They turn to Peter and the other apostles and ask them, “What are we to do, my brothers?” (Acts 2:37b).
This is where Peter teaches them about contrition and baptism. He tells them to repent and be baptized so that they will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He tells of the promises of Jesus that those who follow his ways will be saved. He offers many arguments to convince them to seek reconciliation and he tells them to “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation” (Acts 2:40). It is said that about three thousand people were converted that day.
The First Reading is a good preface for the Gospel (Jn 10:1-10). Here Jesus tells a parable which is one way for people to save themselves from a corrupt generation. Perhaps this is a parable that Peter himself had heard from Jesus which prepared Peter to give lectures like the one he delivered at Pentecost after Jesus’ Resurrection.
Jesus begins, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). These thieves and robbers, a reference to the Pharisees and chief priests, have been at odds with Jesus all along. Of course, the sheep and the gate where people should strive to enter is Jesus. The sheep who belong to Jesus, the good shepherd, enter through his gate and into his pen. Anyone who tries to bypass the gate by climbing over does not belong to this shepherd, in fact, they are regarded as “thieves and robbers.” On the other hand, those familiar with the shepherd, those who belong to his flock, know him and he knows them. He is so familiar as to call them by name and they respond. When the shepherd has driven his own, he walks ahead of them, and they follow. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.
Although Jesus is speaking in the form of a parable, the Pharisees do not realize what he is trying to tell them. The Pharisees tried to entice people to follow them, but again the sheep will not follow these thieves and robbers. So, Jesus attempts to explain in plain words to clarify it for them. He reveals his identity. He is the gate through whom all will be saved. He is the shepherd who the sheep will follow and be rewarded with abundant life.
“I am the good shepherd.” Throughout this passage of John 10, Jesus, the Good Shepherd is trying to make a certain point to the Pharisees. While Jesus does attempt to explain, they meet Him with doubt, so much doubt that they want to stone Him (John 10:31-33). They figured He was disrespecting God as opposed to being God Himself, made flesh. The concept Jesus was trying to illustrate through His metaphor was salvation.
When Jesus preached this parable, there were those who believed him, some after seeing miracles, and others just took Him at His word. And there were others who did not believe. The same is true today. While we are not able to physically watch Jesus perform miracles, we still have the choice of believing His word and joining His flock. From His words, we are able to see the loyalty he upholds for those who follow Him.
