Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Homily – April 27, 2010 – Fourth Week of Easter - Tuesday

+ Last Sunday was Good Shepherd Sunday, when we recalled the effective relationship that Jesus wants to have with you, the sheep of his flock. He wants to be the one to lead you and guide you through life. He wants his voice to be the one voice you recognize and are drawn to. He wants to be the one to protect you, nourish you and refresh you – both in this life and in the next. That he can do this 2000 years after his physical presence on earth is good news because he has filled me with the Spirit of his own ministry at my ordination to his priesthood (which I will celebrate the 35th anniversary of next Monday); he has thus configured me to himself as Head and Shepherd of the Church. He leads you through me, my brother priests and bishops – and other duly installed parish leaders and ministers. It is our responsibility to simply be empty vessels through which his love and mercy and grace flow for you and for your salvation!

In the first reading, we see Barnabas arriving at Antioch where he was instrumental in bringing the gospel message to those for whom it was intended, Gentiles though they were. The grace of God abounded there and it was clear that God had in mind favoring all people everywhere with the possibility of redemption. Later Barnabas went to Tarsus and found Saul and brought him back to Antioch. And together they met with the Church there for a year, and the community was first called: "Christians."

The grace of God – the Holy Spirit – blows where it wills – and it accomplishes what the Father has in mind – the best – when we each are open to the particular vocation that God has in mind for us, be it configured to the Shepherd himself, or configured to the sheep.

May we respond generously to God's graces and blessings this holy day as shepherd or sheep! God bless you!

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