First Communion Homily
Dear brothers and sisters, today, we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. It is a day when we reflect on Jesus as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, calls them by name, and lays down His life for them. This year, this celebration beautifully coincides with Mother’s Day weekend, a time when we honor the women who have shepherded us with tenderness, strength, and sacrificial love.
In today’s Gospel from John, Jesus gives us a profound image of His relationship with us: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” In this short passage, we encounter the heart of the Good Shepherd—one who knows, who calls, who leads, and who protects. It is an image that resonates deeply, especially when we consider the role of a mother. Like the Good Shepherd, a loving mother knows her children intimately—their joys and struggles, their hopes and fears—and she walks with them, offering guidance, comfort, and protection. We see this theme of care and protection echoed in the second reading from the Book of Revelation. John describes a great multitude from every nation standing before the throne of God, clothed in white, victorious through their trials. He writes: “The Lamb will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” What a beautiful promise! This is the destiny of all who trust in the Good Shepherd. And it is also an image that reflects the desire of every faithful mother—for her children to find peace, to be fed, to be comforted, and to be held close by God.
Of course, the path to that peace is not always easy. The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles shows us the real cost of proclaiming and living the Gospel. Paul and Barnabas faced rejection, opposition, and even persecution for preaching the Word of God. Yet they remained faithful and undeterred. They understood that their mission came from God, who called them to be “a light to the Gentiles.” Their boldness and perseverance were rooted in the same trust that the sheep have in their shepherd—a trust that God is with them, guiding and protecting them, even when the journey is difficult.
This, too, reflects the path of motherhood. So many mothers face hardships—whether it’s economic uncertainty, raising children in a confusing world, caring for a sick child, or holding onto faith when a child walks away from it. And yet, like Paul and Barnabas, they press on with courage and grace. Their sacrifices, their late nights, their prayers whispered over cribs or offered silently at Mass—these are acts of love that echo the love of the Good Shepherd.
Today, we give thanks to God for mothers—biological mothers, adoptive mothers, spiritual mothers—who embody the shepherding love of Christ. We thank God for the women who taught us how to listen for the Shepherd’s voice, who brought us to the waters of baptism, who led us through valleys of shadow, and who pointed us toward the promise of eternal life.
Let us remember, too, that we are all called in some way to share in the work of the Good Shepherd. Whether as parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, or mentors, we are invited to reflect Christ’s love—to know others, to walk with them, and to lead them gently toward the One who gives life that never ends.
May Jesus, our Good Shepherd, bless all mothers today. May He strengthen those who are weary, comfort those who grieve, and reward those who have loved well. And may we all learn to hear His voice more clearly and follow Him more faithfully, trusting that no one can take us out of His hand.