Christ the Good Shepherd.

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY.

CHRIST THE GOOD SHEPHERD: (pixabay)

On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church highlights Christ as ‘’the Good Shepherd’’.  The Pope and the Bishops are the shepherds of the flock of Christ. It is fitting to acknowledge their special teaching and Pastoral ministry. You may like to

• Pray for the Pope and Bishops of the Church, especially the Bishop of your diocese.
• Send a card to acknowledge and thank the Bishop for his ministry.  If you know a bishop personally, this is indeed fitting.
• Examine how we relate to our Pastor. Give him support and acknowledgement of all he does in the name of Jesus the Good Shepherd.  He is Jesus for us as he ministers the sacraments and the one who gives us support in the highs and lows of living.  What do you do for him? 
• Encourage those who are thinking of a vocation to priesthood or religious life to pursue it.
• Encourage those who are in formation in priesthood.  They are our ''intending good shepherds'' so need our love and support to reach ordination day and beyond in ministry.

CHRISTMAS AND THE GOOD SHEPHERD

I also think that it is good to remember on this Good Shepherd Sunday that the Good news of the angels that Christ was to be born in Bethlehem was delivered by the angels to shepherds in the fields on that first Christmas night.  We are all familiar with the carol-’'While shepherds watched their flock by night''.  God could have had the message of salvation delivered to anyone He chose.  He chose shepherds that first Christmas night.

Then there are many references in the Bible which provide more compelling imagery for us of Jesus as Good Shepherd.  My favourite is from Ezekiel 34:11-20, but particularly  

'' I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed,

 and I will bind up the crippled, 

 and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over; 

I will feed them in justice.'' (Ezek 34:16)

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY AND VOCATIONS.

How do you relate to Jesus as Good Shepherd?

The Church also highlights on this fourth Sunday of Easter known as 'Good Shepherd Sunday' Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life.  All the baptized have a vocation. We are all called to holiness.  For those called by Christ to the Priesthood and religious life, they are called in a special way and need our love and support for them to carry out the work Christ has asked of them. After all, it is through our pastor's ministry and example along with our efforts that we can grow in love for God, and our souls can ''safely graze''.

May Christ the Good Shepherd encourage and embrace us,

May we listen to the sound of His voice,

Mateship and Love.

 MATESHIP

 

Soldier helping another soldier from Pixabay

Anzac Day has many meanings but often the Anzac spirit is portrayed as 'mate-ship'.

It strikes me that mate-ship in difficult circumstances such as war helps the human spirit to persevere and to know that they are not going through it alone. We remember the ultimate sacrifice of those who served and lost their lives in the battle and those like my late father who served in World War 2 who came home and began their lives anew after giving their best years of their lives in service of their country. Many in later years still carried the scars physically and emotionally from their service with some suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

Anzac Day in our home was important with its tradition. Dad went to the Mass and most years he then marched. Each year the medals came out the night before and placed carefully on his suit jacket which he wore with just pride the next day. My grandfather on both sides were also veterans. Before dad passed away, he had his medals made for myself and my siblings as miniatures. It was indeed a gesture of great love on his part.  Now that dad has passed away, the memory of Anzac Day tradition lingers in my mind and I remember what this day meant to him and our family.

However, it has always struck me that mateship is keeping the commandment to love- the veterans loved one another in an appropriate manner to put each other first, watching each other’s backs in combat, gave their lives in service and some paid the ultimate price of death.   In psychological terms, the whole experience bonded them so that years later, they could still come together and feel that sense of union with each other.

We may be tired of all the hype that has occurred in the media in the preparation for the centenary of this day. We may be glad perhaps when it is all over.  However, for those of us who have not served in this way, we can commend them and be grateful for their bravery. It is their sacrifice and generosity that has given us our freedom. 

We can follow in their example of mateship, which in essence is keeping the commandment to love in its fullest meaning as Christ specified.

Lest we forget.

Compendium Series: no 85: Why did the Son of God become man?

COMPENDIUM SERIES.

 

JESUS THE TEACHER COMPENDIUM SERIES ICON

85. Why did the Son of God become man”? (CCC 456-460).

Compendium states:

For us men and for our salvation, the Son of God became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, He did so to reconcile us sinners with God, to have us learn of God's infinite love, to be our model of holiness and to make us "partakers of the divine nature' (Peter 1:4).

What does this mean for me?

1.Each time I say the Nicene Creed at Mass or in my own prayer time, at these word " for us men and our salvation..."', I can recall these reasons for the Son of God becoming man, be thankful and ponder them constantly.

2.  I can choose to accept that Jesus became man for me, and in accepting it be challenged to explore the model of holiness to which Jesus calls me.

3. I can be grateful for God's divine nature within me every day and embrace it, and to learn to experience more deeply His infinite love for me each day.

Questions to consider.

1.What is my reaction to these reasons for Jesus becoming man? How does it impact me?

2.  How can I be reconciled with God today, this week, month? What action or step must I take?

3. How do I experience God's infinite love for me?

4. What does it mean to me to be a ''partaker of God's divine nature''?

5. What will I do this coming week to learn from the Son of God about His model of holiness? 

May God help us to value our salvation for sending His Son for our salvation.

Gospel of Mark Series: No Signs for the Pharisees. 8:11-13.

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES

The Bible- Gospel of Mark Series Icon.

Welcome again to my Gospel of Mark Series. I have not written for this series since January 2013, but as I am half way through Mark’s Gospel, I am determined to recommit to this series, and in the process gain a fuller understanding of Mark's Gospel.

During 2015, each week, I will write a post about the Gospel of Mark, as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark.  I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season.  In today's post, we explore chapter 8: 11-13 which is called No signs for Pharisees.

NO SIGNS FOR PHARISEES.

After the second meal in a desert place, Jesus with his disciples to the district of Dalmanutha (8:10).  Although the geographical location of this place is unknown, Mark understands it to be on the western shore of the lake, across from the place where the crown was fed the second times, apparently in the Decapolis on the eastern side of the lake.

The opposition to Jesus has resumed when the Pharisees come and start to argue with Him again.  The lesson the meal in the desert that Jesu can nourish people with new life is lost on them.  These Jewish religious leaders in Galilee seek signs that convince them that Jesus is from God.

The word ‘sign’ used three times in this short passage, is not Mark’s usual word for a work of Jesus.  Mark understands the works of Jesus not so much as signs of something hidden, but as works of divine power coming into the world to free people from evils.

TYPES OF SIGNS

There are signs that convince and signs that witness.   The former proves beyond all doubt, the latter invite.  While the operate not matter what a person’s interior attitude may be, the latter can witness to happenings only where there is an interior readiness to see.  The Pharisees ask for the former, but Jesus offered the latter.

Jesus responds to the lack of faith in the Pharisees with a deep sigh.  Marks has mentioned the emotions of Jesus before (1.14, 3:5, 6:34).  The phrase ‘ Truly, I say to you’ is used by Mark only in the sayings of Jesus to emphasise important teaching.

In a symbolic gesture, Jesus leaves the Pharisees and gets back into the boat for another crossing of the lake, towards Bethsaida on the eastern shore, the place to where Jesus has earlier told his disciples to go ahead of him.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

·         Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?

·         Reflect on the keywords in this passage for they contain the substance and purpose of all the things Jesus said and did-?  

·         Imagine that you are one of the Pharisees.  What do you see and hear and feel. What can I learn from this?

·         What kind of signs would I expect God to give to reveal divine power in the world.?  

·         What kind of signs do I want Jesus to give me for my life/my family/my parish?

·         Enter into the interior feeling of Jesus which causes his deep sigh? Does Jesus react to us when we are Pharisees looking for signs or testing Him?

·         How do we walk away from people who look for a sign from us and/or test us? What signs are they looking for?  Why are we able/not able to give them these signs?

·         Reflect on my relationship with Jesus and this teaching in the light of this gospel passage. What are my experiences of trusting God for my needs?

·         What are some areas in my life that need further trusting from God?  Make a list of areas in my life that need a change of heart and develop an action plan on how this change of heart might occur. (e.g. name an area and name one/two changes that you will implement with God's help.

·         What impact does Jesus’ teaching have on you (8:11-13)?

·         How has this passage spoken to you- what does it say to you?

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Divine Mercy Sunday

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

Jesus as Divine Mercy

On the Second Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates Mercy Sunday- a feast instituted by the late Pope John Paul 11. The Gospel account of Doubting Thomas highlights the need to have faith, but shows Christ's patience with those of us who come to faith through experience. We all have times when we want something extra-a sign, a direction, a clue from God.  Christ encourages us to walk by faith and not by sight. 

Today's Gospel highlights Jesus giving the Apostles His power to forgive sin and/or retain them- the start of the sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation.  People often say that I can confess my sins straight to God and don’t need to go through a priest. However, the point is that we are confessing our sins to God, but God in His infinite kindness provides us with priests who are God's ear for us and God's hand of mercy at the words of absolution.  

God provides through the presence of a priest the visible signs we need to make it tangible, along with the grace of the sacrament. It is like Thomas who needed to see the nail scarred hands. Also, priests like us, are human too- they too struggle in their own individual ways. They understand the struggle and can demonstrate to us God's understanding and mercy.  We need to always pray for our priests as well, since as shepherds of our souls, we need them to stay on track and keep us on track towards Heaven.  

PERSONAL NOTE 

On a personal note- Praying for the priest as part of my preparation for the Sacrament is something I like to do. In my parish, an order parish, we are blest with a variety of priests.  So, I am never quite sure who will ''appear'' for confessions.  However, God always seems to provide the one I need and from time to time, He provides the ones I may prefer. Regardless, he is always God's loving hand of mercy and forgiveness.  I don’t know about you, but have you ever been to Sacrament of Reconciliation and the priest spoke the very words or phrases that you needed to hear?  Isn't just the most wonderful moment. I used to think when I was young that he could read my mind.  In later years when this happens, I know God is working in him and I smile to myself and thank God.

The other personal note I would like to share is that today is the anniversary of my confirmation- back in 1970.but I love to celebrate these special spiritual milestones.  I find it a great way to ponder anew the sacraments and give myself a refresher, set some new spiritual goals for the year and keep the journey towards heaven moving in the right direction.  The journey of the Spirit is always alive. It is even more special today as it falls on Mercy Sunday.

Mercy Sunday is an amazing feast of God's love and mercy.  Why not avail yourself of the great opportunity God provides in your parish or in your area. 

As we celebrate Mercy Sunday, let us give thanks to the Lord for his goodness and everlasting love.

Alleluia.!!!