Homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter

In today's first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, we see that Paul and Barnabas were passionate about preaching the Gospel. They disregarded every attempt by their detractors to silence them. Threats were brushed aside, and they seemed driven by an inner, God-given sense of mission to foster faith in Jesus Christ. This aligns well with the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who invites people to follow Him to eternal life. Today, the Church encourages us to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, as these vocations play a vital role in transmitting the faith. As do the vocations of mother and father. All Christians believe that God embodies love and goodness, and it is essential to communicate that love and goodness to others at all times.

The Holy Spirit inspired evangelical passion in the early Church, making its members keen to share their faith. When the first missionaries passed away, there was no shortage of others ready to take their place. This willingness to be actively involved kept the Church vibrant and growing.

Most vocations to a life of service are nurtured within the family. Parents are the first and most significant teachers of the faith and ideals. By incorporating daily prayer into family life, they can sow the seeds of vocations that will meet the spiritual needs of the next generation.

Just as Christ called some to be His evangelists, He calls each of us into His service. How I live as a follower of Christ also affects others. On this special Sunday, we ask for God’s blessing that all of us will feel inspired to continue Christ’s work. His desire for His disciples was clear when He said, “Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37)