I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly. The Fourth Sunday of Easter has traditionally been branded as the  Good Shepherd Sunday. It is a Sunday in which the Church recognizes the loving, shepherding role that Christ exercises over her. Jesus as the good shepherd loves and cares for the Church. There are no holds barred when it comes to the extent to which Jesus would go in order to demonstrate his love for the Church. Not even Jesus’ own life is too much a price a pay for the wellbeing of the Church. Jesus Christ is the good shepherd who puts his life on the line in order to give life to the Church. Accordingly, the Gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (all the three cycles) is taken from the  Good Shepherd discourse found in the gospel according to John (cf. John 10:1-30). The introductory section of the discourse which constitutes cycle A (vv. 1-10), and which we read today, not only identifies Jesus as the gate to the sheepfold, but also contains one of the most iconic and telling sayings of Jesus: “ I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” It is a telling saying because it sums up the life and mission of Jesus. 
Jesus’ assumption of the flesh was a mission whose goal is the reconciliation of the universe to God (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Colossians 1:20). It was a necessary mission since the fulfillment of God’s plan for creation depended on it. As Baltimore Catechism reminds us, God’s sole intention for creating the universe was that creation would live eternally with God (eternal life). But we know that this noble intention of God was hampered when Adam and Eve became disobedient and rebelled against God, an act which has come to characterize humanity’s relationship with God. This rebellious attitude has unfortunately led to a lack of fullness of life on the side of creation, something that has continued to fill God with sadness. Humanity’s rebellion notwithstanding, God has never given up on his plan for creation. God has always sent his messengers the prophets to reproach humanity in order to lead them back to the right path. Jesus’ mission thus fits in this attempt by God to woo creation back into God’s plan. The fullness of life which had been God’s plan for creation right from the very beginning could be seen in the mighty signs that Jesus worked throughout the duration of his ministry. And even though Jesus was rejected by the people, all is not lost. There is a way through which God’s plan for creation can still be achieved.  
In the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, coming out to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. The initial fear that had come upon the disciples following Jesus’ arrest and execution has now been replaced with courage and boldness. As Jesus had promised them, the Holy Spirit had come upon them and turned them into preachers of the Good News (Good News = God reconciling creation to himself through Jesus Christ). On this particular day, the disciples had gathered to observe the customary Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) when the incident that preceded and occasioned Peter’s speech occurred. Peter’s speech challenged his audience who were then moved to respond: “ What are we to do?” Peter’s response was both a rebuke of his listeners’ way of life as well as an invitation to align themselves with the values of Jesus: “ Repent and be baptized and then your sins will be forgiven and you will enjoy fullness of life. It is on account of your sins that the fullness of life that God had planned for you has continued to elude you. Take a look at your own history. You have never known peace. You work hard but you fail to see the fruit of your labor. The only way out for you is to make a radical change in how you live your lives. Do away with your rebellion. Stop being corrupt and take care of the less fortunate. Share your blessings with your brothers and sisters. Put the interests of others before your own. Treat others as you would have them treat you. Practice forgiveness and reconciliation. If you do this, then you will see your community bursting with life once again. This is what Jesus’ life and ministry was all about. This is what God has always wanted for us.” 
As recipients of the Good News preached by the apostles, do we find ourselves challenged by Word of God? Are we able to hear the words of Peter addressed to us today, asking us to repent? What am I doing or not doing that prevents me from having the fullness of life that was planned for me by God?