Good Shepherd Sunday (4th Sunday of Easter)

"I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep." (Gospel: John 10: 11-18)

I attended the 4th Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) Mass of the Holy Child Jesus parish at St. Margaret Mary Church. The readings were done by a visiting priest who did them perfectly well and Rev. Arthur Bautista did the inspiring homily about the good Shepherd.

When I arrived home, I searched for the book, The Shepherd written by Matthew Kelly, an Australian- born writer, speaker, lecturer "who had touched millions of people around the world with his disarmingly simple principles inspired in him by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ." 

"The Shepherd is a modern parable about our search for happiness.  It was about a banquet in an ancient castle, in the hills on the outskirts of London. It was an evening not of music, and speeches, and dancing but an atmosphere of listening to one of England's most celebrated Shakespearean actors to perform the famous passages from the writings of William Shakespeare. 

" Oh, I am but fortune's fool..."To be or not to be - that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles..." Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more beautiful and more temperate..." This but thy name that is my enemy: Thou art thyself... What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet;  So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, Retain thy dear perfection which he owes..." " If we shadows have offended, Think but this and all is mended, That you have but slumbered here While these visions did appear..." 

"With the closing passage from A Midsummer-Night Dream, the actor took a bow and announced that was finished. And he asked the audience of any particular favorite passage that they want to be recited? An elderly man who turned out to be a priest wanted the actor to digress from Shakespeare to recite the Twenty - Third Psalm. The actor paused and looked down as if remembering some moments in the past, willingly obliged to do it, on one condition that he would also recite it after he is done.."

 The denouement of The Shepherd was with the Twenty Third Psalm recited by the Shakespearean actor. There was a standing ovation and the prolonged clappings shattered the summer evening. It was a remarkable rendition. Then the humble priest recited with the voice he had with him as he did on his sermons. He settled on his seat. Nobody clapped. Silence enveloped the radiance of the summer night. Everybody was in awed unspoken admiration. Not even a sound of a needle when dropped could be heard, so to speak. A profound silence! Women were tear-eyed and men stared open-mouthed.

 "The Shakespearean actor was perplexed.  Then seizing the moment he said, "My friends, do you realize what you have witnessed here tonight?" " Why was the old man's recital of the Psalm so much powerful than my own? " As I see it - The difference is this, I know the Psalm, "but Father, he knows The Shepherd."                   

Happiness could not be found in this world but certainly in the realm of God.

God is our friend. Invite Him in the classroom of silence for just ten minutes a day. "He is our Divine Architect. He will design something wonderful for us. He is also our  Divine Navigator... He will plot a course for the unchartered territories. He is the good Shepherd who is willing to sacrifice his life." Listen to his strong and credible communication for us to keep us out of harm's way. He will never forsake us."                                               

"Sit with God and dream some dreams. Forget about trying to put together a Master Plan for your life... for your happiness. God will reveal a plan for you and in that plan, your deep gladness will unite with the world's deep need. Only then will you taste the holy contentment that our very beings never stop yearning for. Get to know the Shepherd. He will lead you to green pastures...  He will restore your soul...Your cup will overflow." (Matthew Kelly)

By: Greg Trabanca)