Homily for May 13, 2017.
As we come
to the end of the Good Shepherd Week, it may be helpful to review the lessons
we have learnt so far. On Monday, we saw how Jesus is our sacrificial shepherd because
he values the life of the sheep (us) more than his own life.
On Tuesday,
we saw that Jesus is our protective shepherd who holds the sheep so dearly in
such a way that no one can snatch them out of his hands. On Wednesday, Jesus being
the Good Shepherd that he is, told us that he did not come to judge the world
but to save it.
On Thursday,
Jesus by washing the feet of his disciples, teaches us his sheep how to be good
shepherds to others and went further to encourage us to spread the message as
those who are sent.
On Friday,
Jesus the Good shepherd told us: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in
God and believe also in me.” Knowing that our Shepherd is right besides us, we
the sheep ought not to have worries, anxieties and fears.
Finally,
today, Jesus the Great Shepherd says: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do
it.” In other words, Jesus tells us that the key to obtaining whatever we need
as his sheep is PRAYER. Just ask!
In the
end, the lesson our readings teach us this week is to constantly think of
ourselves as sheep being led by a great, kind, loving, protective, wise and
sacrificial Shepherd who is Jesus. So long as we listen to him and follow his
voice and not the voice of other false/fake shepherds, we can never get lost
and whatever we need will be given to us.
Jesus did
not stop being our shepherd when he ascended to the Father. He remains our
shepherd right now right here. We are not alone, we are never alone. Our
shepherd is always with us, but this does not mean we shall not encounter
difficulties in life. The Psalmist on Sunday said: “Even though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death…”
The
shepherd leads us along the right path but that path contains valleys of the
shadow of death. We would meet opposition and terrible occurrences that would threaten
our faith but as our Shepherd says: “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Paul and
Barnabas encountered a valley of the shadow of death in our first reading
today.
The Jews
out of jealousy incited the women of high standing and the leading men of the
city against them to persecute and drove them out of the city. But instead of
feeling sorry for themselves or asking God why, they simply went to continue
the mission in another city. This is attitude we should have when people are
against us.
Today being
the 13th Day of May, 2017 makes it exactly 100 years since our
Mother Mary appeared to the three little shepherd children at Fatima; Lucia, Jacinta
and Francisco.
The three
seers were playing at Cova da Iria on May 13, 1917 when they saw two flashes
like lightning, after which they saw the Mother of God above a holm oak. She
was, according to the description of Lucia, “a Lady dressed in white, more
brilliant than the sun…”
Her face,
indescribably beautiful, was “neither sad nor happy, but serious,” with an air
of mild reproach. Her hands, joined together as if she were praying, were
resting at her breast and pointing upward. A rosary hung from her right hand.
The seers
were so close to Our Lady – about a yard and a half away – that they stood
within the light that radiated from her. Our Lady told them to pray the rosary
every day to obtain peace for the world.
If you
must forget anything today, do not forget to pray the Rosary!
Let us
pray: Lord Jesus, my shepherd, boost my prayer life. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 4th Week
of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 13:44-52 and John 14:7-14).
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