Good Shepherd Sunday

Good Shepherd Sunday - World Day of Prayer for Vocations - May 8, 2022

The fourth Sunday of Easter Season is called the “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The image of the shepherd is one of the prominent images in the Bible. The relation between God and the Israelites is described as that of a shepherd and sheep. In Genesis 48:15, as Jacob, on his deathbed summarized his life, he declared that God had been his “shepherd all of his life to this day.”

Ezekiel 34:11-16 - For thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day.

Also, the kings and the leaders are described as shepherds. Jeremiah 3:15 “Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.” In the 10th chapter of John, Jesus speaks of himself as the "good shepherd."

On this day we observe World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The purpose of World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest." (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2)

There are four 'categories' of vocation that the Church uses to help us discern God's plan: marriage, single life, priesthood, and religious life. In each of these four ways of life, God calls us to respond to his call freely and generously. Please pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord's call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes.  Also let us remember all those who responded positively to the call of God so that they may remain faithful in their respective ways of life like the Good Shepherd - Jesus Christ.

Happy Mother’s Day and Good Shepherds’ Day.

- Fr. John Samuel