Christ the Good Shepherd.
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CHRIST THE GOOD SHEPHERD. |
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]
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,
Hear His call and follow Him.
