From Our Pastor

04-30-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Aruldoss, Pastor

Dear People of God,

First of all, I thank you all for attending the presentation about the “Inspired by the Spirit Capital Campaign” following this weekend’s Masses. Again, there is going to be one more reception for the Parishes of Waumandee and Fountain City after this weekend Masses. Please do come to know more about this Capital Campaign. All those who attended the earlier receptions, please prayerfully do consider your contribution to the future of our parishes.

This 4th Sunday of the Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday because in each of the three lectionary cycles, the Gospel reading invites us to reflect on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Jesus often used the imagery of shepherds and sheep to show his care for others. The imagery is old but the message is still relevant to us. To share in eternal life, we need to tune our minds and hearts to our Jesus' voice and obey Him. Self-centeredness can intervene to make us deaf to the voice of Jesus.

We can be drawn to follow an easier path than the one he has traced. Pressures to abandon our principles come and go. But we trust that our faithful Shepherd will not let us be tempted beyond our strength; nothing can tear us away from him. The same God who upheld Jesus and raised him from the dead will also keep us by his care. “I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture…” (John 10:9). “I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full”. (John 10:10).

In Palestine, the shepherds brought the sheep into the sheepfold every night. It was a circular stone wall with an opening or door where the sheep entered. Once the sheep were inside for the night the shepherd slept in that opening or door all night. The sheep could not get out without stepping over the shepherd’s body which meant they would not get out at all during the night. In this background, Pope John Paul encouraged people to find life to the full by following Jesus as he said words like this, “Do not be afraid to open the doors to Christ”.

Yes, Jesus is our gate, anyone who enters through him will be safe, and will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. As we contemplate Jesus the Good Shepherd, let us try to listen to the voice of Jesus and enter the sheepfold through him and be safe and have life and live it to the fullest. Have a Blessed Sunday!

+Blessings,

Fr. Doss

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