The Fourth Sunday of Easter is celebrated in the Church as the Good Shepherd Sunday. This day is also World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

In today's Gospel Jesus presents himself as our good shepherd. Jesus is the good shepherd because He knows His sheep. This knowledge is Jesus' love to us. He indeed knows our sins, vices and weaknesses; however He wants to awake and strengthen everything that is good in us. Jesus - the good shepherd draws us to himself through His unconditional and sacrificial love.

Jesus is our good shepherd because He gives us eternal life. This eternal life is the life of grace that is given to us through baptism and strengthened by other sacraments. When we receive the holy sacraments, Jesus shares with us His own life.

Jesus, our good shepherd is also our protector. We can't be lost when we follow Him. No one can steal us from His flock when we are united with Him. Jesus can't abandon us because He ransomed us at the cost of His blood. He became our good shepherd through His cross and resurrection.

"The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me."