Painting by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
Prado Museum in Madrid
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Jn 10:27-30
Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
REFLECTION
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand."
“Even to your old age I am he, even when your hair is gray I will carry you; I have done this, and I will lift you up, I will carry you to safety.” ~( Isaiah 46:4).
As I sit and ponder the goodness of God to me, many memories hold on to my thoughts. The people I have been most fortunate to know, the loves that have come my way, my bad experiences, because surely, they have been my best teachers.
Today, however, is special. We celebrate the midpoint in the Easter season: Good Shepherd Sunday and Mother's Day. They both hold a special honor. A good mother and a good shepherd have many things in common. Moms take care of the family, the priest takes care of the Church family. Moms can be grumpy when overworked or tired, so can priests. Moms are taken for granted and so are the priests, bishops, and popes. Moms want gratitude once in a while or affirmation that we are appreciated even though the cake came out a little crooked, rice too lumpy or the angel wings for the school play were lopsided. Same with priests: the homily can lull you into a nap, you disagree with their administrative skills or perhaps a rosary as penance may be a bit too much.
The list can be longer but the purpose of sharing my thoughts is to share with my mom and the priests how much I love and appreciate them. I would not be around if either one had failed me, so a "hip hip hooray" for all the moms and priests. Prayers for them and their dedication.
And as an added bonus, Vocations Day is today as well. Pray for more devout men to answer the call to the priesthood.
Join me in praying the PAPA Prayer for priests and PAPA prayer for vocations.
“I am the good shepherd says the Lord. I know my sheep and mine know me”. ~ (John 10:14)
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