WSC Reflection Guide: 5/16/2025

A BLESSED EASTER TO ALL!           "LEAD YOUR LAMBS CLOSER TO CHRIST!"

Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide

May 11, 2025 (Cycle C, Yr. I) – 4th Sunday of Easter

Community Word: The joy of Easter renews us to be shepherds in the likeness of Jesus.

Theme: We are shepherds in the likeness of Jesus when we lead others to hear His voice and follow Him. 

Promise: “The Lamb…will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water.” (Rev 7:17) 

Reflection:    

In today's gospel, Jesus tells us, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me…no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.” (Jn 10: 27, 30). Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He refers to all of us as His sheep, the flock whom He truly cares for. As His "sheep," so that we hear and listen to the voice of the Shepherd, we must have a relationship with Jesus, just like He has with His Abba Father. And as His flock, we too should have a caring relationship with each other, just as Jesus cares for all of us. Jesus is certain of the sheep He ministers to as He tends His flock according to His Father's will and plan for all of us. Thus, our theme for this week tells us that we are shepherds in the likeness of Jesus when we lead others to hear His voice and follow Him.

Another meaningful description of a Good Shepherd is found in the parable of the lost sheep (cf. Lk 15) in which a shepherd has to leave ninety-nine sheep in search of one lost sheep. And when he finds it, he rejoices and celebrates. In the same manner, this is how God is. He finds greater joy in the repentance of a sinner, over those who are already righteous before Him. This should also be our attitude towards those who have done us wrong. We should find ways to reconcile with them and restore broken relationships.

The Responsorial Psalm emphasizes that those with the right relationship with God are the "sheep of His flock." Our heavenly Father actively seeks us when we are lost because we are all precious in His eyes and worthy of His attention, and are pursued by Him. This relationship with us as the sheep and Jesus as the shepherd should lead to joyful praise to God.

As God’s faithful disciples in the community we serve, we have been trained and tasked with how to be good lay shepherds just like Jesus. One of our charism is how we shepherd new members in the encounter programs, Life in the Spirit seminars and word sharing circles. We give utmost importance to tending the flock God has entrusted to us, caring and leading our lambs, and sharing with them the Good News of Jesus. Our priority is to serve and give witness to the members of our immediate family and to our community brothers and sisters. The best way is by emulating Jesus' way of shepherding, by looking after the spiritual needs of our lambs, praying for them, and guiding them in their spiritual journey. We should never give up or leave them behind, but continue to look after them in their spiritual formation and growth. Good shepherds speak gentle and kind words while teaching and correcting their lambs. Overall, good shepherds are good witnesses of Jesus in both words and actions.

As we care for our brothers and sisters and allow them to experience the love of the Good Shepherd through us, we can see each other as part of God's flock, joyfully serving them as children of God. They are part of one body, knowing, loving, serving, and praising God. Our care and love should draw them closer to the Good Shepherd to experience God's love and the joy of the Holy Spirit. As manifested in Psalms 100:1-2), “Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song.” 

When we lead our brothers and sisters to hear the voice of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and bring them to follow Him, we are manifesting God’s promise to them, “The Lamb…will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water,” (Rev 7:17).

Prayer:

Lord God, thank you for Your Son Jesus, the Good Shepherd of Your flock. May we continue the ministry of Jesus, proclaiming the Good News in word and action to your people, the flock You have entrusted to our care. We ask forgiveness if we have not been faithful witnesses and caring shepherds when we fail to reflect the love of Jesus to our lambs. Help us to be mindful of the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit by allowing our lambs to understand what they are. May we do Your will as Your lay shepherds and persevere in guiding our lambs to grow spiritually and be transformed in mind and heart. All these for your greater glory in Jesus' name. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:

1.     What qualities of the Good Shepherd do I possess or need to cultivate more? 

2.  How was your experience when you were ministered as a "lamb" and also, when you became a "lay shepherd" in the community? Did you feel the care and love of Jesus, the Good Shepherd? Share your experiences.

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:

May 11, 2025 (Sun) – Acts 13:14, 43-52/ Ps 100:1, 2, 3, 5/ Rv 7:9, 14-17/ Jn 10:27-30

May 12, 2025 (Mon) – Acts 11:1-18/ Ps 42:2-3; 43:3-7/ Jn 10:1-10

May 13, 2025 (Tue) – Acts 11:19-26/ Ps 87:1-3. 4-5. 6-7/ Jn 10:22-30

May 14, 2025 (Wed) – Acts 1:15-17, 20-26/ Ps 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8/ Jn 15:9-17

May 15, 2025 (Thu) – Acts 13:13-25/ Ps 89:2, 3, 21-22, 25, 27/ Jn 13:16-20

May 16, 2025 (Fri) – Acts 13:26-33/ Ps 2:6, 7, 8-11/ Jn 14:1-6

May 17, 2025 (Sat) – Acts 13:44-52/ Ps 98:1-4/ Jn 14:7-14

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.  Read your Bible daily!”

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Additional Reflection Question for Philippine voters:

1. Called to seek and know the truth, do you pray and discern God’s will in choosing our leaders?

2. As Christ’s followers, what intervention can you make to help voters choose the candidates who are Christ-centered in character and their programs?

Council of Servant Leaders

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Alfred S. Kudemus

CSL Secretariat

BLD Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16