The Fourth Sunday of Easter is often known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” because the Gospel is taken from Jesus’ teaching in chapter 10 of John’s gospel about himself as the Good Shepherd. It is also known as Vocation Sunday because on this day we pray especially that more may answer the call to serve the Church in a special way, particularly as pastors and religious.
While these vocations are important to the Church, I want to say clearly that every single person has a vocation, every member of our parish has been and is being called by God through the Holy Spirit to offer their special gifts to the rest of the community. What is your vocation? What is your special gift? What contribution are you making to the life of this parish – inside the Church and outside it?
To be a spouse, to be a parent, to be a caregiver – these are all essential vocations. To be a Christian witness in the workplace is a vocation that many of us recognize. To use our gifts to volunteer in the parish, in our city, in the civic arena – these are vocations to which so many respond with generosity. On this Good Shepherd Sunday, we thank God for the gifts he has given to each of us. At the same time, I encourage everyone to think about how you may be called by God to build up our parish community.
Of course, today we are being asked to pray in a special way for particular types of vocations which are very necessary for the life of the Church. We need good shepherds for our parish communities and we do not have enough. We need ordained priests and deacons to minister the sacraments and provide other pastoral service. We need the special witness that the religious give through lives of celibacy, poverty and obedience.
What we are praying for is not so much more vocations, because the Holy Spirit is surely calling those who are needed for the service of the Church. Rather we are praying that those who are being called will answer the call.
I want to say a special word to all parents and grandparents. God may be using you to help your son or daughter to respond to a vocation to ordained ministry or religious life. Pope St. John Paul II wrote: “Indeed, the family that is open to transcendent values, that serves its brothers and sisters with joy, that fulfills its duties with generous fidelity, and is aware of its daily sharing in the mystery of the glorious Cross of Christ, becomes the primary and most excellent seedbed of vocations to a life of consecration to the Kingdom of God.”
I recall hearing that terminology “seedbed” when I was in the seminary. Looking back, I can see how our families – each in its own unique way – were the first places in which our vocations were planted and nurtured. I thank God every day for my family and the way they encouraged my vocation.
Let us pray that we may each respond to the call of the Good Shepherd to serve our world and our Church.
Once again this year, our parish will celebrate nine days of Masses for our mothers – living and deceased. These Masses are scheduled for May 15-23 at the regular parish Mass times. To have your mother remembered at these Masses, please use the envelope from your bimonthly packet marked Mother’s Day. (Or just use a plain envelope.) Write on the envelope the names of your mother, grandmother, godmother or mother-figure. Put your envelope in the collection basket or send it to the parish office. These envelopes will be placed on the altar during this Novena of Masses.
Did you know...
April is child protection month.
What is happening in this diocese to protect children?
Training is provided for all adults and youth to identify warning signs and develop strategies for maintaining a safe environment for all.
A designated Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to receive reports and accompany victims through their journey.
A volunteer independent Review Board assists the bishop in the review of cases and makes recommendations for moving forward.
A Safe Environment Coordinator assists parish and school personnel with training and background screenings for anyone who may have access to children.
An audit is conducted by an independent firm to evaluate implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Findings are incorporated with those of other dioceses and made available in an Annual Report.
An Ecumenical Gesture by Pope Francis
Pope Francis, as sign of esteem for the Church of England (Anglican/Episcopalian), has given King Charles a relic of the true cross. This brief new article explains how it will be used and venerated.
We are grateful for the generosity of all of our parishioners and visitors.
Online Giving Reminder
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Catholic Trivia
"Catholic Trivia”... not because they are trivial but because these might be things that not everyone knows. Test your knowledge by reading the five questions, remember your answers (or jot them down), then click the link below to find the answers.
What are the three theological virtues?
What are the four cardinal virtues?
Why are they called “cardinal” virtues?
Which is “the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it?”
Which is “the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good? It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life.”
If you have other members of your family or your friends who would like to be on our email list, just let me know or write to Mary McLain at mmclain@stpatrickcarlsbad.com We will be pleased to add them.
Peter and the other apostles baptize 3,000 people.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 23:1-6
The Lord is my shepherd.
Second Reading
1 Peter 2:20b-25
We have been healed by the wounds of Christ.
Gospel Reading
John 10:1-10
Jesus is the gate for his sheep.
Background on the Gospel Reading
This fourth Sunday of the Easter season is sometimes called Good Shepherd Sunday because in each of the three lectionary cycles, the Gospel reading invites us to reflect on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In each cycle the reading is from the tenth chapter of John’s Gospel. This chapter sets the framework for Jesus’ teaching about himself as the Good Shepherd.
Today’s reading falls between the stories of Jesus’ healing of the man born blind and the raising of Lazarus. Both of these stories were proclaimed in the Gospels found in this year’s season of Lent. Following the controversy that ensued when Jesus healed the man born blind, Jesus directs his allegory about the sheep and the shepherd toward the Jewish religious leaders of his time, the Pharisees.
Throughout John’s Gospel the Pharisees fail to accept Jesus’ ministry and teaching. They show themselves to be “robbers and thieves” because they try to lead the sheep without entering through the gate, Jesus. Through these metaphors, Jesus is telling his listeners that those who follow him and his way will find abundant life. He identifies himself both as the shepherd and the gate. The shepherds who are faithful to him are the ones whom the sheep (Jesus’ disciples) should follow.
The relationship between the sheep and their shepherd is based on familiarity. Sheep recognize their shepherd and will not follow a stranger. At the end of the day, shepherds lead their sheep from pastures to a common gated area called a sheepfold. There, one shepherd protects all of the sheep until the next day when each shepherd returns to lead his own sheep to pasture. As shepherds move among the sheep, the sheep follow only their shepherd.
Today’s Gospel also gives us the opportunity to reflect on Christian leadership. Jesus’ words suggest to us that those who will lead the Christian community will be known by their faithfulness to Jesus. The leaders will recognize that Jesus is the gate for all of the sheep and that having a good relationship with Jesus is the primary characteristic of a Christian leader. Jesus’ allegory also suggests that faithful Christian leadership requires a good relationship with the community: the shepherd knows his sheep, and they know him. Christian leaders follow the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, by being faithful to him and by being a good shepherd.
What Does It Mean to Call Jesus a Good Shepherd?
This short article explores the various meanings of thinking about Jesus as a shepherd who is good.
This traditional Christian hymn based on Psalm 23, the great 'Shepherd Psalm', was written by H.W. Baker and is sung throughout the world. The song's beautiful melody and harmonies accentuate the words of the Psalm perfectly.
Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,
“Las ovejas reconocen su voz; él llama a cada una por su nombre y las conduce afuera. Y cuando ha sacado a todas sus ovejas, camina delante de ellas, y ellas lo siguen, porque conocen su voz”. (Evangelio Juan 10: 3-4). El texto de este IV Domingo de Pascua viene del discurso del Buen Pastor del Evangelio de San Juan. Jesús nos enseña que él es el Buen Pastor, él cuida y camina con sus ovejas, que él llama a cada una por su nombre, o sea él conoce íntimamente a cada una de sus ovejas. ¡No las deja a solas, jamás! También, dice que “sus ovejas” conocen su voz, y cuando llama a “sus ovejas” lo siguen. ¿Escuchamos la voz de Jesús cuando nos habla? En nuestra vida cotidiana llenamos nuestras mentes con muchas cosas, que se convierten en otras voces que nos distraen. Y esas voces influyen la manera en que vivimos y amamos. Y si no tenemos cuidado, esas voces, sin darnos cuenta nos apartan, nos ciegan y asorda a la voz del Buen Pastor. La voz de Jesús siempre nos llamará, a amar y no odiar al prójimo; a servir, y no ignorar, al que lo necesite; a ser compasivo y no incompasivo; ser humilde y no soberbio. ¿Escuchamos la voz de Jesús cuando nos habla? La pregunta parece ser fácil, y quisiéramos responder sí a la pregunta. Pero tomemos en serio esta pregunta y analicemos nuestra vida. En este tiempo de Pascua hacia Pentecostés, Dios quiere llenarnos de paz y fortaleza para vivir el Reino de Dios, aquí y ahora, en medio de nuestras familias y nuestro mundo. Preparemos nuestro corazón para escuchar su voz cuando nos habla.
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