Fourth Sunday of Easter Liturgical Cycle C

Lectionary Readings

Homily

On this Fourth Easter Sunday, the bible message boldly proclaims God’s care and concern for any and all who hear his voice and follow after the shepherd.

He is the Good Shepherd of the Gospel who guards the flock that recognizes his call. These shall never perish; no one shall snatch them out of his hand.

The Hebrew psalm reminds all people “whose God is the Lord” that “they are his people, the flock he tends.”

Even in the midst of persecution and trial, like that of Paul and Barnabas, the true disciples (“those who respond to the Word with praise,” we hear in Luke Acts) are watched over and delivered from evil.

Today’s selection from the Book of Revelation, our second reading, is one of the most tender and caring passages in all the bible. Written to Christians near the end of the first century, the author, John, using apocalyptic style, sends a coded message of encouragement to the little church communities along the Mediterranean. Their ranks beginning to sag under the fierce persecution of the Roman Emperor Domitian, only those steeped in biblical tradition can cipher its ringing call to remain steadfast, faithful, loyal to their baptismal commitment.

Like all human institutions, the Roman government wanted its citizens to pledge absolute loyalty: “My country right or wrong”; and refused to recognize a higher moral authority. Under pain of death, citizens were expected to pronounce an oath of allegiance to the Emperor Domitian, recognizing him as Dominus et Deus, “lord and god.” All were to make this oath by burning a bit of incense before the statue of Domitian erected in the town squares.

It was a time of great trial for the churches. Families were torn apart. Fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, were put to the test. There were betrayers, traitors, accommodators (the Nicolaitans).

The Apocalypse was resistance literature. Lest those who remained faithful to the Lord should feel alone in their struggle, the writer of Revelation calls them to see a vision, “a huge crowd” standing “before the throne,” not the throne of Domitian, but “the throne of the Lamb.”

These are the ones who have survived the great period of trial.

They have washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.

Never again shall they know hunger or thirst,
nor shall the sun or its heat beat down on them.

We should almost blush at our own little trials and temptations, our own heartaches and separations. If these early Christians could see a vision of God’s comfort and concern through their awesome sufferings cannot we have faith in his healing touch?

for the Lamb on his throne will shepherd them
…and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

If your heart aches today, remain steadfast in His love. For He is Dominus et Deus, Lord and God. The Good Shepherd tends his sheep.
--Fr. Pat

Excerpt from "A Catholic's Companion: Liturgical Cycle C" (c)2000 C. Patrick Creed
Published by Watchmaker Press. Maggie Hettinger, editor