Today is the fourth Sunday of Easter usually called Good Shepherd Sunday because the gospel for this Sunday always focuses on Jesus as a shepherd. It is also the 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Mother’s Day. For this day, Pope Frances writes, “Dear friends, on this day in particular, but also in the ordinary pastoral life of our communities, I ask the Church to continue to promote vocations. May she touch the hearts of the faithful and enable each of them to discover with gratitude God’s call in their lives, to find courage to say ‘yes’ to God.” The link between Good Shepherd Sunday and religious Vocations is an easy one to make. The word pastor means shepherd. Pastors try to follow the example of Jesus the Good Shepherd as they lead their congregations to a closer relationship with God and with each other.
Given that there is a shortage of priests, deacons, brothers and sisters, more and more responsibility is placed on lay people to fill the gaps. In many ways this is a good thing. By our baptism we are all called to be Good Shepherds. Parents are called to be good shepherds for their children – Christian formation begins at home. Teachers are called to be Good Shepherds for their students – Christian formation is strengthened by the examples set by educators in our schools. Business people are called to be Good Shepherds for their workers - Christian formation must be sustained in our everyday lives. Whatever our life situation is, we are called to be Good Shepherds.
In the Gospel today from John 10:27-30, Jesus says “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” This passage evokes a number of questions. Do we hear the voice of Jesus when he calls us’? If yes, then how do we respond? Do we ignore Jesus? Do we allow other voices to distract us? Are we afraid to follow Jesus? Each one of us has to answer these questions from our hearts. If we do hear Jesus’ voice and we do follow him, he promises us “eternal life” and that we “shall never perish.” Let’s listen.
Today in a special way we honor the vocation of motherhood. On this day we celebrate our mothers. We thank them for nurturing us and for loving us. and we give thanks for our mothers who made our lives possible.
Gracious God,
We thank you for adopting us into your family
through the miracle of
your grace,
and for calling us to be brothers and sisters to each other.
Today, loving God, we pray for our mothers:
Who cared for us when we were helpless
Who comforted us when we were hurt.
Whose love and care we often took for granted.
Today we pray for:
Those who are grieving the loss of their mother,
Those who never knew their biological mother,
and now yearn for her
Those who have experienced the wonder of an adopted mother's love,
The families separated by war or conflict.
Lord, give them special blessings.
Keep us united with you and with each other,
so that we can be and become all that we are meant to be.
Amen.
