R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father.”

A parent’s worst nightmare; turning around in a crowded place to see their child missing. As they frantically scour the area, they call out the child’s name praying to hear their unique voice respond.

“Mommy. Daddy”. Immediately they know the sound of their child’s voice. “I know mine, and mine know me” (Jn 10:14).

Today has come to be known as “Good Shepherd Sunday”.

Because sheep were a major part of Jewish life Jesus’ listeners could relate to a shepherd much easier that we can today. What Jesus said about shepherds is more readily understandable and appreciated by us if we can make a comparison to today’s world.

Take for instance the First Responders who daily lay down their lives to save that of a total stranger:

or a father who runs into a burning house to rescue their child from flames and smoke.

Or a mother who jumps into a swollen raging river to save her child from drowning.

An unwed mother who chooses life for her child rather than abortion.

A student who sticks up for another who is bullied.

A man or woman who consecrates their life to a religious vocation.

These are some of today’s good shepherds; shepherds who lay down their life for another.

And, as we shall hear from John’s Gospel in a couple of weeks, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” (Jn 15:13). And for this reason, today is also referred to as “World Day of Prayer for Vocations”.

Years ago, before there was  9-1-1, life-flight helicopters or advanced life-saving techniques, a young boy and his sister were riding their bicycles. As they were heading down a steep hill, the little girl fell off and cut a larger artery in her leg.

Panicked, the boy screamed for help. Many came running but did not know what to do. Just then a man who happened to be a doctor appeared. His bag contained a few common necessities; a stethoscope, a roll of gauze, a rubber tube, and a hypodermic needle.

Neighbors quickly carried the little girl into a nearby house where the doctor was able to clamp off the artery. But the girl had lost so much blood her heart was failing. In desperation, the doctor turned to the little boy and asked, “Will you give some of your blood to save your sister’s life?”

The boy nodded, “Yes” and was placed on the kitchen table next to his sister.

The doctor made a makeshift transfusion using they hypodermic needle and rubber tube.

For the next thirty minutes, the doctor and neighbors anxiously watched the little girl and prayed as the doctor monitored her with his stethoscope.

Finally, her vital signs stabilized and she was out of eminent danger. Everyone rejoiced and patted the doctor on the back and congratulated him.

Only then did he notice the little boy, with eyes closed, was tense and shaking. The doctor asked him, “What’s the matter”? to which the boy through trembling lips replied, “Wh-wh-when will I die”?

It wasn’t until that moment the doctor realized the boy misunderstood. The boy thought his sister was going to need all of his blood.

He was willing to lay down his life so that his sister might live.

And that reflects Jesus; the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for each of us.

As the Good Shepherd, He guards and leads us to His Father.

He doesn’t work for earthly pay but rather for heavenly reward. He is faithful though He knows it will cost Him His life. He serves all, even those who mock or betray Him.

And He does this with affection and genuine concern.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who calls each of us by name; especially when we are lost or panicked.

He searches for us. He knows our voice. He hears it each time we pray.

He hears our pleading in tough times.

He hears the silent prayers of parents for their children.

He hears the cry of addicts praying for deliverance.

He hears the parent who is faced with losing employment and benefits due to company downsizing.

He is attentive to the poor, the widowed, and the orphaned.

He listens to the cries of those mourning the death of a spouse, child, or friend.

He even knows the numbed voice of those diagnosed with terminal illness.

And when the wolves of this world scatter and devour  His sheep, He searches for those who are lost. When found, He leads them to the narrow gate of the sheepfold.

He knows our voice. The question is, “Do we know His”?

Will those who hear His voice calling them to a religious vocation listen to His call to be a shepherd?

Will you lay down your life for the sheep?

Deacon Mark Izzo, Permanent Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Saint Anthony Parish

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said:
“Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”

R. (22) The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his kindness endures forever.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God’s children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.