May 2017

VII Sunday of Easter (“A”) – May 28, 2017

From the Pastor /

The part of St. John’s Gospel from which we read today gives us an imtimate insight into how Jesus speaks with His Father. Very few places have thie beautiful unity so magnificently displayed. It is our privilege to stand by Jesus and listen to all He has to say. We hear Him speak of glory, of eternal life, of His own pre-existence, of prayer and of our own good selves. This is the essence of Jesus’ mission and ministry, and we are being given this opportunity to hear it all from His own mouth as the words fall from His lips. If we use our hearts wisely to begin to understand all of what Jesus says, then we have a very good chance of being the followers He really wants. Being inspired to pray or asking how to pray is a very good position to be in as a result of today’s Gospel. Jesus speaks to the Father about us.

Listening is one thing; however, to do it with reverence is the key that will surely enable us to hear the message. Today let us think about how well we listen. There are many different ways in which we listen. But what we get from the words may depend on how well we listen.

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IV Sunday of Easter (“A”) – May 7, 2017

From the Pastor /

In today’s Gospel Jesus gives us warning about people who have no care for others except to take advantage of them and to exploit them for their own selfish purposes. He says anyone who gets into the sheepfold and does not use the gate is up to no good. The gate is the open entrance into the fold where sheep safely graze. The gate is the pathway of honest approach. If you approach people in a sly or sideways manne you are up to mischief and people will have every reason to mistrust you. A true shepherd uses the gate. The sheep see the shepherd and know they are safe. The shepherd’s voice is familiar and to be trusted and the sheep feel secure. Every good parent or guardian knows this. Children look to those who care for them. The story Jesus tells is especially suited for people in positions of pastoral care. What applies to priests and pastors in the Church equally applies to any of us who have roles of responsibility towards others in life.

Jesus, who is the great shepherd of our souls, is also the innocent lamb who was led to the slaughter. Speaking about this, Peter describes to us how the Lord in His suffering left us an example to follow. He never lied. He never threatened, even when He was being tortured. The Lam of God went to His death teaching us to be wise and gentle with one another. His wounds heal our ills. Peter’s call to us today is stark in its message: „Save yourselves from this perverse generation.” Every age has its evils and the exploitation of the innocents has raised its ugly features inour time, in the world and in the Church. „What must we do?” Peter told them straight. Repent of your sins and be converted to the Lord once more. The Spirit helps us to become like Christ Jesus in our own world. It is a most magnificent vocation, to love and to care for others.

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