A Word From The Pastor
Jesus the Good Shepherd: The Fourth Sunday of Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday, we continue to reflect on the meaning of the Resurrection. This is also World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Today, we celebrate the risen Lord as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. In the Gospel passage, Jesus introduces himself as the “Good Shepherd.” Jesus claims that as Good Shepherd he knows his sheep and loves them so much that he is ready to die for them. The Gospel text offers us both comfort and challenge. The comforting Good News is that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows us, provides for us and loves us. The challenge is for us to become good shepherds to those entrusted to our care and good sheep in our parish, the sheepfold of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Everyone who is entrusted with the care of others is a shepherd. Hence pastors, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, government officials and politicians are all shepherds. Since shepherding a diocese, a parish, a civil community or a family is very demanding, the shepherds need dedication, commitment, sacrifice and vigilance every day. We become good shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time, talents, health and wealth for their welfare, and guarding them from physical and spiritual dangers.
Our Eternal Home: There was a very rich woman, who lived in a beautiful palatial mansion. She lacked nothing; she enjoyed all the comforts that money could buy. However, she was a selfish soul; she had no thought for others. Her doors were always shut in the face of people who came to ask her for donations and help for good causes. Not a penny of her money would she give away to another. Years passed. Her long, self-centered life was drawing to a close. Gradually, life after death began to haunt her. One day, she had a strange dream in which she saw herself die, and mounted up to the heavenly world. It was a strange and fascinating place, and she felt quite lost, not knowing where to go. Meeting an angel, she inquired of him, "Can you please show me the way to my eternal home? I have come up to heaven after a long life. I am weary, and I would like to rest a bit!" "Come with me, I shall show you the way," said the Angel. And he led her through the beautiful territory of the heavenly world. Here she saw vast palaces, exquisite villas, beautiful mansions. But the Angel led her on until they entered a slum like territory. There were crumbling huts and humble cottages everywhere. The Angel stopped outside a poor, shabby hut, and said to her, "This is to be your eternal home." The woman recoiled in horror at the sight of the hut. "How is this possible?" she cried. "On earth God gave me a beautiful mansion to live in! How can my heavenly home be so poor and shabby?" The Angel said to her, "Your eternal home is built with what you sent to us here from earth. This is the best we could do with all that you sent to us." The rich woman awoke from her dream in a cold sweat. The help we render to those in need, the alms we give to the poor, the little and big sacrifices we make to lighten the burden of others, are the materials with which the angels construct our eternal abode in heaven. If it happens to be shabby, there is no one else to blame. Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others will be ensuring it in their own lives for all eternity.
Happy Birthday: On the 24th of this month, Penny Blandford, our Business Manager of Precious Blood is celebrating her birthday. She has been working here at Precious Blood for the last 29 years. We wish her all God's blessings on her birthday. Thanks for your service here at Precious Blood.
Building Boats: Professor to a student: Can you think of a solution to end unemployment? Yes sir I would put all the men on one island and the women on another. And what would they be doing then? Building boats.
God’s blessings,
Fr. Suneesh Mathew
|
