Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it.

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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