3rd May 2020

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY ( 4th Sunday of Easter )

Readings:

Acts 2:14.36-41

1 Peter 2:20-25

Jn 10:1-10 

Homily: Rev. Deacon. Samuel Muhanji Nyonje

Dear friends in the risen Lord. Shalom. Today we celebrate the Sunday of the Good Shepherd. In one way most of us have held leadership in some kind, may be at home, school, places of work etc...I don't know if today the subjects whom we serve are asked to vet us if we can really be given another time, if yes, why? If no Why?

A Good Shepherd is always thinking of how to better the life of his sheep and not his own life or his own comfort this is what Christ says in the gospel. This too was the ground for Peter's homily, not for self gain but for the good of the people.

Subsequently,the Good Shepherd must also guide and form his people in their values and vocation in life so that they can live meaningful lives. This made the audience of Peter convinced and accepted baptism.

Jesus warns us, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”  This is a reference to the Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus.  Instead of leading their people to greener pastures, they took away the blessings meant for them.  They prevented the people from coming to know Christ because of being selfish.

When leaders mislead people in the truth, they too belong to that category of thieves that come to steal, kill and destroy.  Indeed, we just have to examine the values that some leaders are promoting in the world today, such as same sex marriage, abortion, making atomic bombs, manufacturing deadly virus, infringing human rights etc., if this is their goal then they are self-serving.  Their heart is not for the ultimate good of the people.

What then must a leader do? Similar question to what the crows asked Peter. For Peter, repentance of our sins, our selfishness and our blindness are the first steps towards being good leaders.  We must first acknowledge where we fail as leaders in serving our family and organization. 

Secondly, we ought to receive baptism, not just of water alone, but here to be immersed in the door that leads to Christ. This is the baptism that world and Church leaders should seek today. This baptism is for the salvation / service of all. Unless we have the heart of the Good Shepherd, the sheep will not recognize us, neither will we recognize them as our sheep because we do not know them or care for their interests.

I still believe there is a good number of good leaders in our midst. Just like Jesus, we should not expect appraisal of our good work. Rather insults, and even threats. Unlike poor and enforc e leaders who seek publicity even when giving donations, delivering their duties like CDF, FPE among other duties. 

Let's pray during this Sunday, the Spirit of Christ as in Luke 4:16-18. Let's pray for family leaders, Religious men and women, Seminarians and all clergy. May God mound them to the TRUTH.

( Rev. Deacon. Samuel Muhanji Nyonje. +254708607911. Email: nyonjes146@gmail.com. Blog: samnyonje.blogspot.com)