Our readings for this Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, are here. (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042124.cfm). So for most of Eastertide (through Pentecost), the first reading will be from the Acts of the Apostles, and the gospel reading mostly from St John’s account.
Again, these are the poems, my notes, and interpretations of Fr Dennis’ homilies from the Mass of:
- April 26, 2018 Noon
There is a brief cameo from Fr Eric Sundrup, SJ, as well.
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The poem Fr Dennis referenced is:
- I Meet My Grandmother in Italy by Katrina Vandenberg, Noon Mass, April, 2018 Cycle B
In 2018, we reflected on —
The Fourth Sunday of Easter generally being Good Shepherd Sunday, with the Good Shepherd epitomized by God in David, as leader and person. It’s pretty clear a good shepherd doesn’t have to be perfect in that case!
Today’s poem is I Meet My Grandmother in Italy by Katrina Vandenberg. D2, in his reading, that in this poem the grandmother is God: I’ll take for my granddaughter all // the plants you have with yellow flowers, // … She said, Take them // all; you need to have a happy life.
- It is the giving that is the mark of God, the Good Shepherd, and a good shepherd
- The laughter
- The kindness
rl — in my 8-day silent retreat of 2023, the bulk of the reflection was on the Good Shepherd, the qualities from a mix of Christian and Hebrew scriptures. Those five qualities are faithfulness, tenderness, diligence, wisdom, and integrity. They seem to match the grandma in the poem, too. 🙂
Padre Eric Sundrup, SJ, at the 5PM Mass on April 26, 2015 offered that the Good Shepherd is on the margin, the outskirts, not held up in esteem. His classic quote: Clue #1 you are not on the right path is if you think God hates all the same people you do. 🙂 ! At the Papal Chrism Mass of 2015, Pope Francis encouraged the priests to smell like sheep, be with their flocks. And, Fr Eric being Eric — reminded us of Yoda’s wisdom of “Do or do not. There is no try.” Don’t hold back in your desire and efforts to be with The Good Shepherd or a good shepherd (or being a good shepherd!). Listen, and you’ll be taken to the margins, where Christ is closest to all those around you.
Still love Mr. David Zinn’s “Thinking of Ewe” image, but that being said,
our featured image is “The Good Shepherd” by the late Fr Sieger Koder (1925-2015). He was a German priest, WWII veteran, smith, and artist. He retired from active priestly pastoral duties in 1995, but continued his artistry until he passed in 2015. A gift of another 20 years to us all. The Europeans have created a number of books offering retreat-like meditations using his work.
The Surest Sign 