We know that God created us unique and special. Even the sound of our voice is unique. A dog responds to the sound of the master’s voice. Sheep respond only to the voice of their shepherd. Today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter is Good Shepherd Sunday. We reflect on the title of Jesus Christ as The Good Shepherd. In today’s gospel Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. Jesus is referring to not only the people of His time by all disciples down through the ages including us. Jesus told us that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We follow the Way, not our way. Following Jesus is about eternal life. 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.
When we are lost, i.e. follow our own way – Jesus, the Good Shepherd goes in search of us to bring us back to the safety of His loving arms. When we struggle with temptations from our passions, the world or the devil, Jesus is there to protect us. When we fall into sin, Jesus, the Good Shepherd gives us forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Just as a shepherd ensures the sheep are properly fed, Jesus feeds us with His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist.
As we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday, we also celebrate Mother’s Day. We see qualities of the Good Shepherd in our mother: loving, caring, nourishing, protecting and leading. We thank God for the gift of our mother! We also thank God for the gift of ours spiritual
mother, Mary – given to us when Jesus hung on the cross. The song “Mother”, written over 100 years ago helps us reflect on the gift of our mother… “M” is for the million things she gave me “O” means only that she’s growing old “T” is for the tears she shed to save me “H” is for her heart of purest gold “E” is for her eyes with love-light shining “R” means right and right she’ll always be Put them all together they spell MOTHER, a word that means the world to me. (part of the song written by Howard Johnson and Theodore Morse)
May the Risen Christ bless us always!
Deacon Mike