Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 25, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Acts 4:8-12 / Ps 118 / 1 Jn 3:1-2 / Jn 10:11-18
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

At this morning’s first Mass, baby Theodora, whom I baptized a few months ago, was a little uneasy during the liturgy. Her Mom, as all mothers do, knew exactly what to do to calm her down. She knew what she wanted every time she was uncomfortable. It is such a privilege, if you are in the company of someone who knows you like a mother knows her baby.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus said, “I know my sheep.” God’s words in Psalm 100 tell us that we are the sheep of his flock. God knows us even more than we know ourselves. At one point, Jesus said, “Even the very hairs of your head have all been counted so do not be afraid.” This is how important we are to Him. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, “Your Father in Heaven knows what you need even before you ask Him.”

As we gather together in this Mass, the Lord God knows the divine favor we need because each and every one of has some trials and difficulties. He surely knows the type of cross we are carrying, but He also knows our strength and power because He is our Creator. In His infinite wisdom, He will not allow us to carry a cross which would be too heavy for us. Time and again, our Holy Mother Church will remind us that we should always have in mind our Lord’s promise that He will be with us always. As St. Paul said, “If God is with us, who can be against us?”

But human as we are, we all have moments of weakness. When this happens, may we always remember that the Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd who knows us so well, is always and will always be there for us. As He said in St. Matthew’s Gospel, “Come to Me all you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will give you rest.”