Our Good Shepherd

Yesterday the Church observed what is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The readings for today’s Mass continue the theme of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. Isn’t it amazing that the Vicar of Christ, our very own Good Shepherd here on earth, Pope Benedict XVI, arrives in America tomorrow, April 15.

Our Sisters are very excited about his visit and have posted his itinerary in a prominent place (on the refrigerator door!) so that we will be able to participate in this time of great grace for our country. Here is the link for the itinerary so you can post it as well – and not only post it but tune in to take part in the events! http://www.uspapalvisit.org/itinerary_en.htm (EWTN is broadcasting all of the events.)

Father Roger Landry’s homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (written in 2005) took up the theme of the Good Shepherd. Here is the link if you want to read the full homily. http://www.catholicpreaching.com/index.php?content=homilies&homilies=20050417
Father makes reference to Our Holy Father, our Good Shepherd, in the person of the late Pope John Paul II:

"How well Pope John Paul II fulfilled the ministry of feeding Christ’s sheep through teaching! He spent his entire pontificate feeding Christ’s young lambs and the Good Shepherd’s entire flock with so much nourishment. He has left us more teaching in writing than any other pope in history, and all of us need to continue to digest it. As an image and vicar of the Good Shepherd, he was such a strong and unwavering voice pointing out to us all the “thieves and marauders” trying to hurt us or lead us astray. He pointed out the lies of atheistic communism. He pointed out the lies of modern consumeristic materialism, hedonism, and exaggerated individualism. He preached to us about the great gift of our faith, of the Eucharist, of the sacrament of confession. More than anything else, he pointed us to Christ, the Good Shepherd, who is the answer to the question of what it means to be a human person.... The question for us, though, is whether we have been good sheep with respect to Christ the Good Shepherd’s working through his earthly vicar. Good sheep, as Christ tells us, “hear my voice” and “follow me.” Let us be "all ears" and listen to what our Holy Father has to say to us this week. We will not be disapointed!