Gospel Reflections for April 22 2018
We are not sheep!
Jesus mentions sheep in today’s Gospel …but that image is not meant for us.
Everyone then knew that sheep were timid and easily frightened. They follow their shepherd closely because they feel utterly helpless, unable to care for themselves, or defend themselves against wolves. They need and want a strong shepherd. Well, Jesus is that strong Good Shepherd who bravely leads His sheep to good food and water, even when there are wolves nearby. Jesus is that Good Shepherd who is both courageous facing danger and compassionate to sheep in His Flock. He will not be frightened, scared, or intimidated from that care. I like that image better!
When Jesus said to His disciples, “Follow me,” He did not mean to follow Him as timid sheep that follow a strong shepherd. He meant for us to follow Him …in His role as Shepherd! Jesus does not call us to be sheep …He calls us to be shepherds! It is the Shepherd we imitate, not the sheep!
Many of you are in a position of influence over others, whether your family, friends, school classmates, neighbors, social media contacts, or fellow employees. Think how they will feel if they sense that you always have their best interests at heart, and will courageously defend them from bad things and compassionately tend to their needs, and lead them to good things. They will want to follow you!
This week, Pope Francis sent to the whole world a beautiful document (Rejoice and Be Glad) that affirms the joy of following Christ. You can download it here and read it for yourself. You can find that same joy by taking on the role of a good shepherd, a leader that helps people with love and kindness.
We have great leaders at St. Bruno, in our Religious Education program that is leading over a hundred children to receive First Communion, in our Youth Program that will bring over a hundred young people to Confirmation, in our Alpha Team that especially leads young adults to Our Lord, in our St. Bruno School that everyday teaches important lessons for life, and even our St. Bruno Carnival Team that will provide a fantastic and exciting weekend of family fun for all.
They are all shepherds …just as Our Lord calls you as well.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Father Dave
, Beautiful happenings at your lovely St. Brunos’ parish!!! To become one with our Jesus in Holy Communion, receive our loving Holy Spirit in Confirmation, be transformed to beautiful Christians in alpa groups, to enjoy the beauty of Christian friendship with friends, are all at the heart of our amazingly beautiful Catholic Faith and living Jesus’ love with all we encounter!!! We are to be shepherds in this fabulous Faith of love and joy!!! and lead others to our Jesus of LOVE!!!Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
Yes, we are to be a shepherd to others as Our Lord is to us.
I like your thought that we follow the Shepherd and not the sheep!
Thank you for sending the document “On the call to Holiness in today’s world.
by Pope Francis.” It looks interesting and well worth the read.
Yes, the Pope’s document is not difficult and it is easier to read than most Vatican documents!
Fr. Dave,
Thank you for the better image of being a Shepherd instead of sheep. That image of the sheep has never seemed quite right to me,, I think that the Shepherd image is a healthy one.
I am glad that we have some new insights on holiness. I am grateful that Pope Francis wrote “,Rejocie and be Glad”.
God Bless
Yes, it is worth reading.
Fr. Dave,
Suffice to say you personify the modern day “Shepard”, no doubt enkindling a huge smile from our Heavenly Father by your daily works and deeds for his Church and his peoples – all the best always!
Thank you for your very kind words!
Fr. Dave,
Suffice it to say that since you have made a special effort to facilitate the reading of Pope Francis’ “Call to Holiness”, we will consider it essential to directing us in the path of eternal life. It appears it will take some committed time to properly contemplate.
Thank you for continuing to lead your sheep in “far away” Thousand Oaks.
Bob and Rose Mary
I actually rarely recommend Vatican documents because of thier length and often dense theological difficulty. I was pleasantly surprised to discover how readable this document was.
Fr. Dave:
Thanks so much for the insight on being a shepherd, I previously thought only of myself imitating the lamb who is following Jesus Christ.
It is enlightening and empowering to realize I can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, strive to emulate Jesus as The Good Shepherd. With this purpose, I am humbly called to purposefully lead and evangelize my family, friends, and others closer to our Risen Christ. WOW!
Thanks also for reminding me of the good old days growing up in Thousand Oaks when I would see the sheep/shepherds in the hills behind my house. Great memories!
God Bless,
Vicki
Thanks for your message. All the sheep in the Conejo Valley was why the Archdiocese named the parish “St. Paschal” who was a shepherd saint from the Pyrenees mountains in Spain. I am glad you have those “Old Thousand Oaks” memories too!