May 3, 2020: Fourth Sunday of Easter
Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Read how a parish lives their mission….by direct service, empowerment, education and advocacy
http://www.mygoodshepherd.org/dj/index.htm
http://www.mygoodshepherd.org/ministries_humanconcerns.html
Readings
First Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm: 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Second Reading: 1st Peter 2:20b-25
Gospel: John 10:1-10
Catechism of the Catholic Church
“The Church is, accordingly, a sheepfold, the sole and necessary gateway to which is Christ. It is also the flock of which God himself foretold that he would be the shepherd, and whose sheep, even though governed by human shepherds, are unfailingly nourished and led by Christ himself, the Good Shepherd and Prince of Shepherds, who gave his life for his sheep.(754)
From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:
John 10:1-10
The Church moves further into the Third Millennium of the Christian era as a pilgrim people, guided by Christ, the “great Shepherd” (Heb 13:20). He is the “Holy Door” (cf. Jn 10:9) through which we passed during the Great Jubilee of the year 2000[1]. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life (cf. Jn 14:6): contemplating the Lord’s face, we confirm our faith and our hope in him, the one Saviour and goal of history.
The Church continues to speak to all people and all nations, for it is only in the name of Christ that salvation is given to men and women. Salvation, which the Lord Jesus obtained “at a price” (1 Cor 6:20; cf. 1 Pet 1:18-19), is achieved in the new life that awaits the righteous after death, but it also permeates this world in the realities of the economy and labour, of technology and communications, of society and politics, of the international community and the relations among cultures and peoples. “Jesus came to bring integral salvation, one which embraces the whole person and all mankind, and opens up the wondrous prospect of divine filiation”. (1)
For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html
Reflection
Short cuts may seem an easy option, but produce resounding problems in the long run. Taking a short cut one easily gets lost. The GPS may fail, as the batteries become depleted, it’s not always easy to read a compass accurately, or lots of trees turn into a staggering maze with no visibly clear path to the destination. Short cuts, maybe jumping over a fence, mean you are proceeding where you probably should not go, stepping on fragile animal habitat, squishing flowers to snuff out life, wearing a path into lush landscape just for your self interest of saving a few steps or a few minutes of your time. Short cuts can generate hostility for trespassing on another’s turf, acting arrogant if other’s don’t matter or even dismissing a friendship. Short cuts also don’t work in seeking a true and meaningful relationship with Jesus, our Shepherd. For the Lord desires a sincere friendship with us, not just an occasional spiritual text with a cute emoji, checking in at our convenience, going into robo mode to fulfill minimal spiritual obligations and personally label ourselves as believers. Jesus cares so much for us, as our Shepherd, that He desires to give all of Himself and seeks we treasure the grace of His abundant blessings that entails. For Jesus does not treat us as generic humans, but calls each of us by name. He leads us and opens the gate of the sheepfold, walking ahead of us to peruse the terrain in leading us to verdant pastures and restful spiritual waters to refresh our souls. Our guide, Jesus, guides us on right paths. Always at our side to encourage and give us courage from anointing with the oil of chrism and overflowing gifts of the Holy Spirit, if we dwell in the house of the Lord by living in the serenity of the sheepfold. For we know we are forgiven of our sins by our repentance and baptism and His act of love for us on the cross. All placated on grace, manifest as gift, for we recognize His voice of truth. Untarnished by nuances of ideology skewed to exclude, lurking as strangers, thieves and robbers, attempting to claim the Church as their own possession cannot steal and destroy what multitudes gathered as Church find by following Jesus in having life and having it more abundantly by not taking short cuts in embracing the way, truth and life of the Shepherd.
Individual Reflection: 1st Peter 2:20b-25
Share this diocesan video about the need to address climate change and encourage the diocese where you reside to become involved in this global movement, as shepherds in the Church encourage care for God’s creation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUFrfZ-chJI&feature=youtu.be
Family Reflection: John 10:1-10
What cultural references does your family have of Jesus as Shepherd? How do cultures portray Jesus as the Good Shepherd?
Prayer: https://www.crs.org/resource-center/prayer-good-shepherd
Prayer to the Good Shepherd
Lord of the 23rd Psalm,
I have known death,
and you have refreshed my soul.
I have known fear,
and you have comforted me.
I have known hunger,
and you have set a feast before me.
In the darkest valley
no calamity of humankind or nature has separated us.
Teach me to walk as you walk
Beside those in mourning
so that they will know joy,
Beside those in fear
that they will know comfort,
Beside those in hunger
that they will feast until their cup overflows.
As your goodness and love follow me,
May mine follow my neighbor
That the threat of the worst terrors
May turn to the knowledge of the comforts of
the house of the Lord,
Where you have invited us to dwell forever.
And so let me strive to help build on earth
What you have promised us in heaven.
In the face of all calamity, present and yet to come,
Let me lead my neighbor beside quiet waters,
The quiet waters of the Good Shepherd.
AMEN
Blogs to Visit:
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters
Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites
By Barb Born April 25, 2020. St Mark Pray for us ! The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.