I have other sheep... who? - 4th sunday easter B

Jesus said: “ I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.  These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

Who are the people Jesus is referring to with this passage?  Who are these other sheep that Jesus is talking about who do not belong to this fold?  Who are these people whom Jesus said he must also lead?  Who are these people who do not belong to this fold but will also hear the voice of Jesus?

Actually the gospel is not saying who these people are, of where they would come from.  But the point I would like to make is the fact that with this pronouncement, with this assertion, Jesus is saying that his work is not done yet.  Jesus has preached the good news, he has healed, he has forgiven sinners, he has suffered and died, and he was risen from the dead, he has ascended to the Father in heaven and has sent the Holy Spirit to all, but still, still his work is not done yet.

What are the implications then of this statement of Jesus?

First if Jesus is not done yet, then Jesus is still calling, Jesus is still healing, Jesus is still inviting, Jesus is still preaching, Jesus is still searching for the lost, Jesus is still forgiving.  Jesus is not done yet.  Probably there are still parts of ourselves that is not done yet.  Probably Jesus is still searching for that part of us that is lost, for that part of us that still needs to be forgiven, for that part of us that needs to be made whole.  The point is Jesus is not done yet – not with so many parts of our world, not with so many parts of our society, and not so with some parts in us.  What is it in you and what is it in me that does not yet belong to Jesus and what it in me and in you that needs to hear the voice of Jesus, that needs to be touched by Jesus, that needs to be healed?

Second, since God is not done yet, then God continues to work in our world in us and through us.  Are you conscious that God is at work in you?  I hope so.  But more importantly are you aware that God who is not done yet is at work through you, using you for his purpose, inviting others through you, attracting others to God and to the Church through you?  Are we aware perhaps that by our position in society, with the talents we possess, with the resources we have at hand, are we aware that perhaps God is calling us to become instruments of the yet many unfinished work God has in our world?  Are you aware perhaps that you are called to become God’s embrace even just by your remembering to pray for that someone who needs your prayers, or perhaps by your visit, or perhaps by your words of encouragement?  God is not done yet.  I am reminding you as I remind also myself everyday that I can very well be God’s vessel and instrument to some unfinished task, to some unfinished business God has in our world today.

The third implication of Jesus’ statement that there are things He still needs to finish is this:  when God’s work is done, when God’s work is finished, when Jesus has gathered all of his flock, who will be included?  Will it include the brothers and sisters, the sons and daughters we have who no longer go to church, who no longer believe, those who left the faith, those who have gone astray – will it include them?  Will the greater flock include those who had made us suffer, those who have lived immoral, decadent and corrupt lives?  Jesus is still calling, Jesus is still searching, Jesus is still leading until that time, he said, that there be only one flock under one shepherd.  Who will be included in this greater flock?  I don’t know.  This I know, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for us, for all of us.

Today we are reminded to pray for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.  God is not done yet.  There is work to be done.  We need to pray because we need to be aware of the extent God want to use us and our lives for his unfinished work.  We need to encourage young people to the priesthood and religious life, we need to support those who are offering their lives as seminarians and novices.  We need instruments, vessels so as to complete what God has started in our world through the Good Shepherd.