Recently, an old couple went to the city animal shelter to
adopt a dog. They picked Regan, a pointer mix, from the
kennels. The couple was told to wait in the “get-acquainted
room” while staff went to fetch the dog. When Regan was
brought into the room by the handler, he showed no interest
in the old couple. Regan’s entire focus was on his handler.
She was his shepherd, his only hope in the despair of the dog
pound. When Regan’s handler left the room to leave him
alone with the old couple, Regan pointed toward the door
through which she would return. The old couple decided that
Regan should go home with the handler he loved so much.
This Sunday’s gospel presents us with the familiar image of
Jesus as the good shepherd. The image of the good shepherd depicts Jesus in a very compassionate and loving pose gently caressing a single lamb close to his chest. It is a comforting picture that we can easily relate to. Each of us are
represented by that lone lamb that is cradled in the arms of
Jesus. But there is much more to this than just a loving pose
of Jesus with the recovered lost lamb.
Jesus as the good shepherd wants more than just to nourish
and feed us with his consoling love. He wants to allow us to
participate in the union that he has with his Father in heaven.
Just as he has this intimate relationship with his Father, Jesus
invites us to know the Father in the same way. “I know my
sheep and my sheep know me in the same way that the Father knows me and I know the Father.” When we choose a
relationship with Jesus, we are choosing to receive the grace
of the union of heart, mind and will with Christ himself. We
enter into the same union that Jesus shares with His Father.
In our second reading this weekend, the First Letter of John
invites us to reflect on our relationship with God as we “see
what love the Father has bestowed on us.” We need to take
the time each day to cherish those moments when we have felt God’s presence in our lives. As we do this, we become more aware of how we are truly loved and that there can be nothing that will separate us from the love of the Father for us His children.
Regan the little dog pound puppy knew who had his best
interest at heart. This bond that he formed with his handler
gave him peace of mind in an uncertain world. The puppy
was always certain that his handler would love and never
abandon him.
We follow Christ the Good Shepherd because he will always
be there to gently keep us on the path to the Father. He is our
certainty in a world that is oftentimes hostile to us. As Jesus
relates to His Father in heaven, he invites us to the same
intimate closeness with God. We can rest secured mindful
that we are God’s beloved children. Our future is secure and
our hope eternal.

In Christ,
Deacon Frank

• Deacon Ernesto Abadejos

• Deacon Elie Calonge

• Deacon Frank Ostrowski                                                          

 

• Deacon Anthony Olsovsky