Sunday May 12, 2019
4 ^thSunday of Easter
Good Shepherd Sunday
Gospel Acclamation: John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.
 
We often find ourselves lost in life.  Today is very reflective of that theme.  Even though we are in Cycle C—which should cover the Gospel of Luke, we have an opportunity to learn from the Gospel of John.  Though we are in Easter and have read since the start of the season about the resurrection, or a resurrection appearance; today we steer off that theme to hear about the comforting image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
 
Think of a shepherd. The sheep (signifying us) become lost in our ways, we hear His voice (that of Christ) and we are brought towards him.  Though we were lost, He is not upset, but rather concerned for our well-being.  We hear, and we respond.  That message should be allowed to sink in.  Each week we listen to the words of Christ, but do we allow it to sink in so that we may respond?
 
Now this shepherd image we find today is one that is enhanced JUST a bit.  Not only do we receive guidance from Him, we are also given eternal life through Him.  A pretty impressive Shepherd Christ is.  The reading today is very short, and do not let that mistake you.  This message is incredibly important. The relationship of the sheep to the shepherd is highly dependent upon the Father and Jesus.  The Father has given the sheep to Jesus—and no one can take the sheep from Him because as we know the Father and the Son are One.
 
The message is Pure and Simple... To follow Jesus is to be a disciple of Jesus.  The task of the Father and the Son is not to lose the sheep, or rather to not give them up to those who might try to pry open their hands. OUR task, therefore, is no more difficult that to simply and purely follow Jesus.  We HEAR and we RESPOND.  We LISTEN and we FOLLOW.
 
I invite us to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and to Religious Life.  This Good Shepherd Sunday is traditionally the Sunday where the Church comes together to pray that young men are able to open their hearts and hear the calling of God.
 
Good Shepherd, PRAY FOR US!
 
Deus lo Vult!
†lvm†