Kaukauna Catholic Parishes

April 25, 2021

A few years ago, I was in Ireland. What a gorgeous place that is! In one location, there were sheep for miles around with shepherds taking care of them.

With Good Shepherd Sunday, one has to wonder what it takes to be a good shepherd. In today’s readings, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, expresses his deep care and concern for his people, his flock. This affection contrasts with those who are hired-hands and who simply run away at the first sign of trouble. Hired hands work only for the pay.  Sheep are not important to them but sheep mean everything to the good shepherd.

The sheep learn to trust the shepherd because they hear and understand the voice, the smell and the behavior of the person looking after them. 

This Easter season, with the fragrance of Easter flowers still in the air, and Alleluias still on our lips, we cannot forget the hard, dead wood of Calvary.  We cannot forget how the Good Shepherd laid down his life for us. Jesus now calls us to love one another the same way He loves us. This may be our greatest challenge. If we are to be imitators of Christ, we must be willing to be more than sheep; we must also be shepherds. Pope Francis tells us that a good shepherd must be close enough to the sheep to smell like the sheep. We must be shepherds to each other and to our faith. 

Applied to our practical lives, this message is clear. Most of us are not priests or religious; we are parents, grandparents, siblings and friends.  We are called by our Baptism to shepherd the sheep who are entrusted to our care. For most of us, this is our family. For others, it is the sick, homeless or those less fortunate. How can we become strong shepherds?  We need the sustenance that comes from the grace of God. By calling on Him, God gives us the strength, inspiration and courage to shepherd our flocks.  Personally, I need periodic moments of solitude and the daily Eucharist. For others, maybe they need daily Mass, a bible study, adoration or a
pilgrimage. 

This Sunday, we mark not only Good Shepherd Sunday but also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Now we need, more than ever, to answer the call of service to the church. Pope Francis tells us “Never be afraid to get out from yourselves and begin the journey.” The Gospel is the message which brings freedom to our lives. It transforms them and makes them all the more beautiful.

How wonderful it is to be surprised by God’s call, to embrace the Word and to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, let us pray for all vocations and the vocation which each of us presently has as a Catholic Christian and a person of Faith. Let us reflect on what our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, has shown and taught us and the example He has given us. How can we lay down our lives for each other?

Blessings,

Deacon Mark