Sunday, May 15, 2011

Sheep and Shepherds

Readings for Sunday, May 15:
Acts 2:14, 36-41
Psalm 23:1-6
1 Peter 2:20-25
John 10:1-10

This weekend we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday, so called because we ready the section of St. John's gospel wherein Christ speaks of Himself as shepherd and gate. In the Office of Readings from the Liturgy of the Hours this morning, we read the beautiful words of St. Gregory the Great:

"No matter what obstacles we encounter, we must not allow them to turn us aside from the joy of that heavenly feast. Anyone who is determined to reach his destination is not deterred by the roughness of the road that leads to it. Nor must we allow the charm of success to seduce us, or we shall be like a foolish traveler who is so distracted by the pleasant meadows through which he is passing that he forgets where he is going. "

He reminds us that in this life we are all bound to encounter countless trials and difficulties that will push us to leave The Way - Jesus Christ - and that there will also be things of such great appeal to us - be it fame or fortune - that will make us want to cease walking and simply stay there. In both of these we are reminded that we are meant to remain where we are but we are a people destined for eternal glory with God in Heaven. If we open the ears of our heart to the voice of the Good Shepherd who calls us each in our own way and strive to remain on that path, we will be sure to receive that blessed reward of a room in the Heavenly House of God. May we always seek after the shepherd who calls us and be protected from the evil one who seeks to blot out His voice.

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