Fourth Sunday of Easter

Vocations Day

Gospel: John 10:1-10

The Venerable Ralph Leavitt, Honorary Associate Priest

Today I want to speak to you about two topics, about Jesus, our Good Shepherd and also of how Jesus, our Good Shepherd always brings us new life, of how Jesus helps us find the best possible path in life, our true vocations.

To start, I have to say that at first I was not so pleased to be referred to as a sheep in the Bible. In my mind sheep are stupid, gullible and not very useful. Yet, we are compared to sheep throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments. Lost sheep, found sheep, sacrificial sheep, the list goes on and on.

However, the more I read, the more I was able to see that humans are somewhat like sheep. Philip Keller, a Christian author and actual shepherd points to how the behaviour of sheep and humans is similar. He says sheep without a shepherd have no goal or purpose, just as a mob of people without a leader are the same. Leaderless groups are often led both by fear and timidity. And if a bad leader comes on the scene, sheep and people will often follow without much thought. In an Anglican sense, I love the prayer written by Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He wrote in our prayer book

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us.

This is the beginning of the confession in the Prayer Book.

So, I confess, we are somewhat like sheep. However, I think the real point of referring to us as sheep is that all sheep need a shepherd. And thank goodness we, as Christians, have a good shepherd. Jesus tells us I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Think again of our Psalm today, Psalm 23, the most famous psalm of David. The first line itself is amazing; The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Amazing, that with Jesus as our shepherd, we will never be lacking. And much more for Jesus revives our souls, guides us on right pathways, takes away our fear of death, comforts us, and most of all, our good shepherd makes sure that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of or lives. This is indeed a good shepherd.

The Gospel refers to Jesus as being the gate for the sheep, it is he who controls who is in the flock. Jesus says Whoever enters by me will be saved. All people who are baptized and believe in Jesus are part of his flock. And what does Jesus want for his flock? He says I came that they may have live, and have it abundantly. Thank God again for our good shepherd.

Now I want to shift to the idea of vocations with the good shepherd. Think again of our scripture reading from Acts and of the disciples that Jesus brought around him. When Jesus first called them we know there were among them four fisherman, a tax collector, a zealot, and a thief. Well, talk about a change in vocation! Now, filled with the Holy Spirit, they are apostles spreading the good news. Peter, addresses a crowd and three thousand people become Christians. We see here the beginning of the church as we read They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone… And this happened because, thinking now only of Peter, Jesus, the good shepherd, knew what was truly in Peter’s heart, Jesus knew his true vocation, to be an apostle.

It is Jesus, the good shepherd, who knows what is best for you and will always lead you to it if you believe in him and listen to him. There is a difference between having a job with skills you have learned, or taking up a vocation that the Lord wants for you. Too often people feel vocations refers only to becoming a leader in the church. It isn’t. Jesus say, I came that they may have live, and have it abundantly. Finding your true vocation can be anywhere in life and can happen at any time. Often you start with, so to speak just any old job, and then over time you find your true vocation.

So where are you right now? A young child, or in CEGEP or University, or in your first job, or in midlife, or in retirement? It does not matter where you are, or what you are doing right now, what matters is that you listen to the good shepherd and find out who you are in Christ. Who you are in Christ. That is where you will find full life and abundant life.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my life as a Priest and Spiritual Director is that I often have people talk to me of how they are feeling called to something new. Of how something has shifted in their life. Of course the first thing to do in that situation is to pray about it and to ask the Good Shepherd if it is a true calling to a new vocation. And then you must look for signs. They will always be there. They might come to you completely out of context but you will know it is a sign for you. Finally it is wise to seek out a companion to talk about your sense of calling. In my experience, often when someone tells a companion of their true thoughts, the companion often will say “That is exactly for you!” When Jesus calls, it is always true, and faithful people know it. And I can say that people who find their true vocation, at no matter what time in their life, find true life and abundant life. They find out their true passion is, and that leads to always building up God’s kingdom. It is so exciting.

So I encourage you all, you wonderful sheep, listen to the good shepherd, and follow his path which is the right path for you. He will always both forgive you your faults and lead you to new life.

Thanks be to God.

Amen.