From the Desk of Father John
May 11, 2025
.jpg?v=20250514010503)
This Sunday we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday. Though most of us may not have ever seen or met a shepherd, the image of Christ the Good Shepherd speaks to us of God’s love and providential care in our lives. It is Christ who, in our sinfulness and weakness, picks us up and places us, like a lamb, on His shoulders.
He restores us to communion and brings us back to His flock. It is Christ who feeds us and nourishes us spiritually through the Word of God and the Sacraments. This is the role of the shepherd to feed, nourish and protect his flock.
We hear the image of the shepherd mentioned in the book of Revelation in the second reading, “For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev 7:17) Jesus applies this image to Himself in the Gospel this week, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” (John 10:27-28) The shepherd is the one who guides the sheep and leads them to life giving water. In many regions of the Middle East and in the Holy Land, the practice of shepherding is still common. It is common to see men herding sheep across the landscape. Oftentimes, as in the time of Christ, there is little or no water in the arid climate of the Holy Land and water is very precious. Without a shepherd to guide them, the sheep would be lost and not able to encounter life saving water.
Jesus is telling us this week that just as we need physical water to survive, so too we need spiritual nourishment. We need the life giving water and nourishment that Christ provides us through the Sacraments, especially Jesus’ very Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. We need to be fed by listening to God speak to us through the Holy Scriptures. In addition, we need the guidance and care of those shepherds the Lord has placed in charge of His Church, His priests and ministers. Just like sheep, by listening to the Word of God and coming to know Jesus through the Sacraments and the Holy Eucharist, we come to know the voice of the shepherd. Even today, modern day shepherds speak to their sheep and spend time with them.
This Easter Season, may we spend time in meditation, prayer and Adoration and come to know the voice of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who is always with us, speaking to us. Let us ask the Lord this week to help us to grow in listening attentively to His voice. Just like sheep, on our own, we cannot find the source of life giving water, but need the help and guidance of others along the way. Let us give thanks to God for the shepherds He has placed in our lives and those who have taught us to pray and grow in our spiritual life. We pray that the Holy Spirit continues to raise up and inspire within the Church more good shepherds, who formed after the Heart of Jesus, will lead and guide His Church.