Walking with Jesus: Fourth Sunday of Easter A

For Sunday, April 26, 2026

Acts 2:14, 36-41; 1 Peter 1:20-25; John 10:1-10


Today is known generally as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is using a figure of speech that the people of His time would understand: They could leave their towns and go out and see herds and herds of sheep. We leave our cities and usually come across herds of cattle for the most part. Sheep were wanderers, going all over to find food … just wandering off. During my one trip along the western coast of Ireland I saw loads of sheep — I was shocked by how bold and huge they were. They would cross the road whenever they wanted, or just walk out and sit on the road. I noticed that they had huge, painted blotches on their rear ends, the color signifying their ownership. In the Middle East sheep are referred to as dumb animals, wandering into all sorts of trouble without any concern for predators. At night the shepherds would herd them into “box canyons” and then lay down across their entrances to ward off predators and keep the sheep from wandering.

Today's focus is on hearing and heeding, listening to our Leader, Jesus. We don’t like to be compared to animals, but we wander all over — going where we want and doing what we want to do. A dear friend who named his youngest “Peter” after me called me once and said, “Your namesake is having a traumatic experience.” What did he do? I asked. “He doesn’t know his name — he thinks it’s “No, Peter!” The question — better still, a reflection — is, we know and love Jesus, but that doesn’t make it simpler to hear His voice in our crazy, busy, noisy world. Today’s readings help us discern. What voices do we follow today, and why do we follow these and not others? Can I hear Jesus? Do I try? Or is my life more about me and my loved ones? Jesus is the one leading us to our true home, which He promised: Heaven!

The Acts of the Apostles is the only New Testament reading whose purpose is to tell us what happened in the development of the early Christian movement and its faith communities. Peter is addressing a large crowd of Jewish people referred to as the “house of Israel.” This term is important because the Jewish people did not automatically change “religions” and become Christians. Many Jewish leaders, both religious and governmental, condemned Jesus at the trial before Pilate. They did not consider Him the Messiah: “Why didn’t He save Himself?” “Who was He?” To them, the Messiah was supposed to take us away from the tyranny of Rome. He was to be a leader and certainly not die on a cross. God would never make a plan like this — no one would follow Him! The proclamation about Jesus being the Messiah must have sounded radical and incomprehensible. This Jesus certainly wasn’t a king … a conqueror… an emperor. How could He save? He was crucified! That certainly ended our hope for a messiah. So now the people listening to Peter had a serious question: What are we to do? Is this our fate too?

Peter tells these wandering followers to imitate Jesus, even if and when suffering and hard times come. Misfortune comes — we will be mocked like Jesus was, and He didn’t get even or threaten. They were to pattern their behavior on Jesus’ love commands. It is Jesus’ innocence and lack of vengeance that constitute this pattern. He is our leader. We will be safe if we allow ourselves to love as He loved and as He taught us. He alone knows what is in their and our best interest — He knows heaven and the road to get there. He taught us a new way. Carrying the cross signified His commitment to the divine grace, to the way of thinking and being of Jesus Christ. Being a Christian means not only believing Jesus and believing in Him but, more significantly, following Him — as the flock follows the shepherd.

It’s so special to read and reflect on today’s gospel of the Good Shepherd. Jesus is describing His call to His sheep. What is special is that He knows them so intimately that He calls each by name, and they recognize this intimacy by being able to respond accordingly in gratitude and calling for help whenever needed. He has come so that each one may have life and have it more abundantly. This reference is certainly to something more than peace and prosperity in this life. There is a more profound reference: one to a deep spiritual life lived in union with God. Living in love itself leads us to eternal life — heaven, which is our home. Think on this: We know, without question, great people in our lives who are now in heaven. Think about them and where and how they taught us this greatness ... and be grateful and love.

So I reflect on:

• Peter’s reminder is to remain calm and patient in the face of unjustified affliction: Turn the other cheek. But I want to get even. Why is it important that I show love?
• Jesus says that His sheep follow Him because they know His voice and so they would never follow a stranger. Am I hearing His voice? Do I ask for help?

Sacred Space 2026 states:

“Jesus describes Himself as a gate — ideal for letting people into a state or place they desire to be — or for keeping people out. In a way, Lord, You tell us that You are a gateway or a maker of a route through Yourself which will open up a path to the kingdom and to Your Father. You promise that if we regularly interact with You we will find true life, not just in our daily living but at the end of time also.”