A homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 11, 2025
Acts 13:14, 43-52, Revelation 7:9, 14b-17, John 10:27-30
In the incredibly long-running BBC science fiction show “Doctor Who,” The Doctor’s space- and time-travel vessel is bigger on the inside than on the outside.
Yes, that’s a key plot point.
Today’s passage from John’s Gospel has that same characteristic. Its messages — and there are several — are far larger than the 62 words proclaimed. It’s bigger on the inside than on the outside. No alien technology required.
We start with two fairly long readings, from the Acts of the Apostles and Revelation. And even though the topic of sheep and shepherds is specifically mentioned in the Revelation and Gospel selections, the notion of gathering a flock and shepherding them through spiritual and moral guidance is woven through our first reading as well. Even without mentioning woolly mammals.
So: About our overstuffed Gospel and the readings overall…
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
There’s not a wasted word. I’ll aim for the same.
Jesus is our shepherd, our Good Shepherd, the Greatest Shepherd who ever lived and who ever will live. Like a herder of sheep from the first century, Jesus nudges us individually and collectively onto straight paths toward food, water and shelter.
Physical food, water and shelter.
Emotional food, water and shelter.
Spiritual food, water and shelter through the Word and in the Eucharist. Through the Almighty’s care for us here on Earth and in our promised everlasting home in Heaven.
Divine care that started with Adam and Eve, was codified in God’s covenants with Abraham and Moses, was fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, and continues and will continue forever.
Jesus is Emmanuel, God-With-Us, the second person of the Trinity, one in being and substance with the Father and, together with the Father, the source of love, grace, wisdom and ongoing Creation.
Jesus proclaims it plainly and simply.
The Apostles proclaimed it clearly throughout the world as they knew it. The chronicle of what they did and where they went is called “Acts” for a reason. They were speaking and acting on the radical knowledge about God’s peace and God’s plan they had gathered while sharing the road with their rabbi, the Messiah.
Some of that knowledge and belief was captured poetically, and often cryptically, in the Book of Revelation, as we also heard today.
One God. One Redeemer. One Light. One Way. One Shepherd.
We today belong to Christ’s flock. If we are in God’s grace and following Christ’s light, if we are caring for the least among us, then we will find ourselves among the sheep and not the goats when Jesus returns as judge.
Led by Pope Leo and all who serve and minister in Christ’s name, we are the next chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, even if no one puts pen to paper or fingers to keyboard as we obey The Law of Love. When we act as Apostles, when we act as Christ to one another, our Father in Heaven, who sees in secret, will reward us appropriately and abundantly.
(I read that somewhere….)
