Fourth Sunday of Easter

57th Annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Good Shepherd Sunday
In other years: Saints Philip and James, apostles

Readings of the Day
RB: Prologue 8-13
Mass: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Resp Ps 23; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10

Beside restful waters the Lord leads me; he refreshes my soul.

MARY, GATE OF HEAVEN,

PRAY FOR US.

On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, it is worth taking a look at the Message of His Holiness Pope Francis (it can be found on the Vatican News website), alongside the readings for this Good Shepherd Sunday. In the message, Pope Francis expounds upon four key words (gratitude, encouragement, fatigue, and praise) to address "the whole People of God against the backdrop of the Gospel passage that recounts for us the remarkable experience of Jesus and Peter during a stormy night on the Sea of Galilee" (see Mt 14:22-33). It may be helpful to read the passage before reading the Pope's message. Pope Francis reminds us that "every vocation is born of that gaze of love with which the Lord came to meet us, perhaps even at a time when our boat was being battered by the storm. Vocation", Pope Francis continues, is "more than our own choice, it is a response to the Lord's unmerited call", whether the call be to marriage, ministerial priesthood, or consecrated life. And "we will succeed in discovering and embracing our vocation once we open our hearts in gratitude and perceive the passage of God in our lives."

Jesus the Good Shepherd gazes at each one of us with love. He continues to meet each one of us wherever we are and call us to daily service. Even though we may be feeling battered by a storm these days, we might ask ourselves how the Good Shepherd is calling us as we reflect on today's readings. Is my heart open to listen to His voice and no other? In what way can I respond with renewed energy, joy, gratitude and praise? St Benedict too encourages us in a way suited for this day: "Let us get up then, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time for us to arise from sleep (Rm 13:11). Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God, and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out this charge: If you hear his voice today, do not harden your hearts (Ps 94[95]:8)" (RB Prol 8-10).

Jesus the Good Shepherd is the gate. Whoever enters through Him will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. Dear Jesus, who came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD; THERE IS NOTHING I SHALL WANT.

(Ps 23:1)

We pray with the Holy Father:

For doctors and priests (over 100 priests and approximately 154 doctors have died in Italy). May the example of these shepherds, priests and doctors, help us take care of the holy, faithful People of God.

SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: My precious grandnephew BWB.

© Gertrude Feick 2020