IV SUNDAY OF EASTER (GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Today we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Easter also called "Good Shepherd Sunday" because today's Gospel is always centered on this beautiful image with which Christ describes himself. He is the Good Shepherd and so we evoke him in this Easter season to remind us that risen and alive, he continues to care for his flock. Jesus, “made both Lord and Christ”, as Saint Peter tells us in the first reading, continues to give us, his sheep, lost first by sin and later found by the guardian of our souls, abundant life.
I want to take advantage of Good Shepherd Sunday to share with you all some joyous news that I hope will lift the hearts of many in our community. Not all news these days is bad news. Stars still shine in the darkest of nights. A young man from our parish has applied to enter the seminary in the Diocese of Phoenix. If God wills, next year Saint Anne will have a seminarian preparing for priesthood. What a joy! What a gift! Personally, this news has been for me like a ray of light that has penetrated the heavy clouds of these dark days.
Christ is not only the Good Shepherd from heaven who intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. Out of love for his people, he also wants to guide his flock in the person of men who stand in his place and represent him sacramentally as channels of grace for the whole Church. So the “yes” of this young man, in addition to an enormous reason for joy, is also a reason for hope. His decision to pursue the call of the priesthood is a message from heaven for all of us. God encourages us with this joyful news. He is telling us that there are still good people willing to give their lives, that He has not forgotten us and continues to care for us, that the Eucharist will not be lacking as long as there are brave men who say with the prophet, "Here I am, send me." (Is 6:8)
I ask you to pray, on this Good Shepherd Sunday, for this young man and for all men called to the priesthood. I am aware that this young man is still at the beginning of his journey and that he still has much prayer, much discernment, much learning ahead of him. As our new parish motto says, Fiat Voluntas Tua. He, like everyone else, is here to do the Will of God, wherever it takes him. The long road to the priesthood now opens before him, if the Lord and he desire it. In this discernment, in the exciting journey that is just beginning, he can count on our prayers, our support and our closeness.
May Christ, who has come so that we have abundant life, and who is not only our good Shepherd, but also our food, nourish us soon with the bread of the Eucharist.
On this day we especially pray for our bishop and all bishops who have received from God the mission of being reflections of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We pray for all priests and all those who in one way or another have the mission to guide and protect others, whether as parents, teachers, civil leaders or soldiers, that through their union with Jesus they may enter the Heart of the Good Shepherd and willingly give their lives for their sheep. And, after this pilgrimage through the dark valleys of this life, may the Good Shepherd lead all of us home to the verdant pastures and restful waters of Heaven.