Beloved in Christ,
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me (Jn 10:14). This Sunday's liturgy focuses on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. As it is fitting for the season, the communion antiphon introduces Jesus as the risen Good Shepherd: The Good Shepherd is risen! He who laid down his life for his sheep, who died for his flock, He is risen, alleluia." Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the one who leads us and lays down his life for us. He leads us to life, offering his body and blood for our life here in the world and the world to come. He sacrifices his life for us by caring, providing, and committing himself to our well-being.
Jesus is always leading and caring for us. It's crucial to understand that Jesus' sacrificial love for each one of us is unquestionable. But to truly trust in and accept his love, we must strive to know him and listen to his voice. This personal connection with Jesus, established in our baptism, is a relationship that we are called to deepen. It's a relationship that is nurtured through Scriptures, meditations, and prayers in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the sacrament of Confirmation, which some of our parish children will receive this afternoon, we receive a fullness of the Holy Spirit to help us build a deeper spiritual life. In the Holy Eucharist, we get more intimate with Jesus; by doing so, Jesus empowers us to live a holy life. Jesus the Good Shepherd leads us to a holy life. Living a holy life by following the Good Shepherd is what it means to know Jesus.
Jesus continues to guide and lay down his life for his flock in the teachings and life of "Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 4: 8). The office of Peter, the vicar of Christ, is passed on through the centuries to our current Universal Pastor, Francis. Today, like early Christians, we are called to treat our pope with affection and respect as he carries out his ministry of mercy and unity. We should pray daily for our pope, bishops, and pastors as they strive to imitate Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and carry out with zeal and fidelity the mission of guiding the faithful to the light and truth of the Gospel of Christ.
On this Good Shepherd Sunday, let us pray, especially for the vocation to the priesthood in our diocese and the entire Catholic world. The Church is in need, a need that we deeply feel, for more shepherds willing to sacrifice for the flock, like Christ, the Good Shepherd. Our prayers for this intention are not just a request, but a plea, a plea for more shepherds to guide and care for us, to lead us to the life that Jesus offers.
This year, Pentecost falls on Sunday, May 19. I plan to hold a Pentecost Rally in our parish on this day. The intention is to pray for renewal of the grace of the Holy Spirit in all of us as we conclude Eastertide and transition to the Ordinary time of the year. Please save the date: Sunday, May 19.
In the Risen Christ,
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me (Jn 10:14). This Sunday's liturgy focuses on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. As it is fitting for the season, the communion antiphon introduces Jesus as the risen Good Shepherd: The Good Shepherd is risen! He who laid down his life for his sheep, who died for his flock, He is risen, alleluia." Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the one who leads us and lays down his life for us. He leads us to life, offering his body and blood for our life here in the world and the world to come. He sacrifices his life for us by caring, providing, and committing himself to our well-being.
Jesus is always leading and caring for us. It's crucial to understand that Jesus' sacrificial love for each one of us is unquestionable. But to truly trust in and accept his love, we must strive to know him and listen to his voice. This personal connection with Jesus, established in our baptism, is a relationship that we are called to deepen. It's a relationship that is nurtured through Scriptures, meditations, and prayers in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the sacrament of Confirmation, which some of our parish children will receive this afternoon, we receive a fullness of the Holy Spirit to help us build a deeper spiritual life. In the Holy Eucharist, we get more intimate with Jesus; by doing so, Jesus empowers us to live a holy life. Jesus the Good Shepherd leads us to a holy life. Living a holy life by following the Good Shepherd is what it means to know Jesus.
Jesus continues to guide and lay down his life for his flock in the teachings and life of "Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 4: 8). The office of Peter, the vicar of Christ, is passed on through the centuries to our current Universal Pastor, Francis. Today, like early Christians, we are called to treat our pope with affection and respect as he carries out his ministry of mercy and unity. We should pray daily for our pope, bishops, and pastors as they strive to imitate Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and carry out with zeal and fidelity the mission of guiding the faithful to the light and truth of the Gospel of Christ.
On this Good Shepherd Sunday, let us pray, especially for the vocation to the priesthood in our diocese and the entire Catholic world. The Church is in need, a need that we deeply feel, for more shepherds willing to sacrifice for the flock, like Christ, the Good Shepherd. Our prayers for this intention are not just a request, but a plea, a plea for more shepherds to guide and care for us, to lead us to the life that Jesus offers.
This year, Pentecost falls on Sunday, May 19. I plan to hold a Pentecost Rally in our parish on this day. The intention is to pray for renewal of the grace of the Holy Spirit in all of us as we conclude Eastertide and transition to the Ordinary time of the year. Please save the date: Sunday, May 19.
In the Risen Christ,
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
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