4A EASTER HOMILY, JOHN 10:1-10 April 26, 2026
By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM
1. STORY
Mary, a 52-year-old
teacher, was accompanying her students across a road on a school activity when
a speeding car roared toward them. She
put herself in the path of the car pushing aside six students before being
struck. She died from her injuries. Thousands attended her memorial service and
funeral. All considered her a hero by
giving up her life to save her students. Jesus, the good shepherd, did the same to save
us.
2. GOSPEL, JOHN
10:1-10
A) JESUS THE GOOD
SHEPHERD
Jesus describes
what he does for us.
i) He leads the
sheep (us) to pasture to find nourishing food. He walks in front of them so that they will
not get lost or leave the flock. He
comes so that they may have life and have it abundantly.
B) THE SHEEP
FOLLOW THE GOOD SHEPHERD
i) The sheep
listen carefully and hear and recognize his voice.
ii) The sheep
follow him for they know that he is to be trusted to bring them to rich
pastures.
iii) The sheep will
be saved from all danger.
3. APPLICATION TO
LIFE
A) TODAY’S GOOD
SHEPHERDS
We are blessed
having good shepherds to lead us through difficult times.
i) Our Pope
Francis who gave us a great example of living a simple life, speaks in language
that is easily understood and welcomes everyone.
ii) Our bishop who
provides us with timely advice, provides us with priests to serve us and helps
the local church follow the example of Jesus.
iii) Our parish
priest who arranges parish Masses, plans the parish activities, and cares for
the upkeep of the parish.
B) WE ARE TODAY’S
SHEEP
We use the
examples of being like sheep as to understand the parable.
i) We hear Jesus
by listening to his word found in the bible
during the Mass
homily, and in the directives from our pope and bishop.
ii) We follow
Jesus by imitating his example of loving God, loving our neighbor as he did by
caring for others, and loving ourselves by caring for our spiritual and
physical health.
iii) We will be
saved by having peace in our hearts and being assured of eternal happiness.
4. CONCLUSION
The teacher, like
a good shepherd, gave her life to save her pupils. Jesus is our good shepherd who cares for us
and finally gives his life to save us. Our
modern good shepherds are the Pope, our bishop, and our parish priest. We must listen to their words, follow their
advice, and we will be saved. We thank
Jesus for being our good shepherd and providing us with modern-day shepherds.
