The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as "Good Shepherd Sunday" with the readings centering on that theme. It is important for us to keep in mind that our Lord who rose victorious and ascended to heaven is indeed still alive and well among us through the work of the Holy Spirit. Unlike us, God is not limited by space and time, but can truly give each of us individualized care, just like we picture a good shepherd knowing all of his or her sheep by name, as well as knowing their individual needs and idiosyncrasies. And as for the sheep, as Jesus says in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me."

The claim of the Bible is that there is only one God revealed as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that Jesus was not just given special gifts by God but is, in fact, God who dwelt among us also as a true man. So if, in fact, there is only one God and Jesus is God, His claim to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) is valid.

This Sunday, the week after Easter marks the day when Jesus appeared again to His disciples with Thomas present. You will recall that Thomas was not present on Easter evening when Jesus had come to the others and would not believe Jesus was alive unless he himself could put his finger in the nail marks in the hands and his hand into Jesus' side. Jesus accommodated that request, and Thomas declared, "My Lord and my God!"