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Collect
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
In making this prayer tangible, the following
reflection questions emerged:
1. What are the joys of Heaven and what does this mean to me?
2. How can I experience the joys of Heaven now on earth every day?
3. Make a list of the Joys of Heaven and pray for them this coming week.
4. What does the image of the being part of a flock evoke in me?
5. What does the term ‘’brave Shepherd’’ mean?
6.How will I live the joy of Eastertide this coming week?
GOSPEL REFLECTION.
The Gospel is from John
10:27-30. This Sunday is often called "Good Shepherd Sunday." Jesus
intended the beautiful parable of the Good Shepherd with its many consoling
truths and promises for men of every century, including our own century. We can
evaluate the words in an exclusively historical sense. This can be helpful to
give a perspective. However, the
liturgy's primary aim is to portray the present, not the past, to give grace
and life along with history. You must, therefore, give the parable a present-day
context, apply it personally. After each sentence why not stop and say: Christ
is helping me by doing this today. The parable brings to our attention three
consoling truths: Christ gives His life for His sheep; He remains with them
constantly through the bond of grace; He will not rest content until there be
but one flock and one shepherd.
How do you relate to Jesus as Good Shepherd?
The Church 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''.
- 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. If not, then why not send a
card or do something nice for your parish priest. I like to bake a cake.
- 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.
6.
I 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.
7.
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]
May Christ the Good Shepherd encourage and embrace us,
May we listen to the sound of His
voice,
Hear His call and follow Him.
not rest content until there
be but one flock and one shepherd.
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