Pastor Notes April 21, 2024
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April 22, 2024Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Good Shepherd Sunday reflects the constant intention and attention of our Risen Savior for each individual, especially anyone who feels alone, lost, ignored, alienated or simply forlorn. Each of us at some moment in our life have struggled with such, quietly to ourselves. St. Jerome, who faithfully and painstakingly transcribed the Bible into Latin, shared his personal struggle: “I am like the sick sheep that strays from the rest of the flock. Unless the Good Shepherd takes me on His shoulders and carries me back to His fold, my steps will falter, and in the very effort of rising, my feet will give way.”
Fourth Sunday of Easter is designated as Good Shepherd Sunday, with the corresponding gospel passage of the Risen Christ who is the Good Shepherd and the Gatekeeper. And though our Good Shepherd would encompass all qualities of goodness and hope and light, there are possibly nine specific attributes of His character and intentional presence in our lives. Christ our Good Shepherd is generous to a fault attempting again and again to guide us toward God’s presence and grace; time is not a factor. Our Good Shepherd lead us to places of peace and stillness. Jesus shepherds us toward restoration, healing what deprives us from our dignity and turn helping others find healing.
Our Shepherd guides us in paths of righteousness; meaning: virtue, integrity and justice. Shepherding each person, Jesus guides us to truth and compassion, leading us out of fear and distress. Christ our Shepherd and Eucharist leads us to the table He set for us, sharing His body and blood.
Shepherding us toward a life of light and joy, Jesus provides the path to love God with all our heart, mind and soul; and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our Good Shepherd provides the Spirit moving us beyond what we believe possible within ourselves. And the testament of our Good Shepherd is to provide the path where we each within our unique character can “act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. (Adrienne Scott)
We offered the Sacrament of First Holy Communion to our second graders and their families the last two Sundays. One individual, a bit anxious, and a novice so to speak, adjusted his hands a few times to receive the Body of Christ appropriately, forming an ‘altar’ with his right hand under his left. Like those second graders, though, may we not take for granted that what we are about to receive.
Because, no matter how awkward or timid we may be at the Eucharist, His invitation for us to receive is no less than it was for the disciples to receive at the Last Supper. Parents, again, thank you for the faith you share with your son or daughter, providing them the opportunity to receive the Eucharist and the foundation of prayer as family; to believe in our Good Shepherd who is always watching over us.
In your prayers, please remember our seminarians presently in priestly formation; and too, those whom God continues to call to the priesthood. May they have the courage to listen, and surround themselves with family friends who support their calling. On this Good Shepherd Sunday Pope Francis provides a thoughtful reflection on those who are called to the priesthood. “The vocation is truly a treasure that God places in the hearts of some men, chosen by Him and called to follow Him in this special state of life. This treasure, that must be discovered and brought to light, is not made to ‘enrich’ someone alone. He who is called to the ministry is not the ‘master’ of his vocation, but rather the administrator of a gift that God has entrusted to him for the good of all the people, or rather for all humanity, even those who have drifted away from religious practice or do not profess faith in Christ.”
Whether or not we know it or believe it, the truth is echoed in the words of W. Phillip Keller and Pope John Paul II: “It takes some of us a lifetime to learn that Christ, our Good Shepherd, knows exactly what He is doing with us. He understands us perfectly. God has, in fact, thought of us from eternity and has loved us as unique individuals. He has called every one of us by name, as the Good Shepherd 'calls His sheep by name.’”
Our Diocese’s annual Reparation Mass for clergy abuse victims will be held on Monday, April 29th, 5:30pm, at the Sioux City Cathedral of the Epiphany. All are welcome, and victims of clergy abuse and their families are encouraged to attend the Mass and join the bishop in prayer as April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. No RSVP is needed to attend. Bishop Nickless’ presence and commitment toward healing is a light guiding our diocese through the hurt and mistrust.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference.” (Tommy Lasorda, Dodgers manager)
