Padre’s Points to Ponder – 4/24/26
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The image of Our Lord as the Good Shepherd is one of my favorites. With such incredible and unexpected kindness, Jesus takes the wayward and wearied lamb upon His shoulders, and brings it home.
The 4th Sunday of the Easter season is always dedicated to this image as we take our Gospel from John’s 10th chapter, wherein the Lord describes Himself as the Good Shepherd, and even the gate for the sheepfold. So we place before our own hearts the image of Christ who leads not by force, but by love. Jesus the Good Shepherd does not drive His flock from behind but goes before them, calling each by name, His authority rooted not in power, but in self-gift. He leads because He loves.
This is the pattern of every true Christian vocation. The foundational reality of a “calling” to a vocation is not to a task, but rather to a relationship. The Good Shepherd calls us to know His voice and to follow where He leads. And for those called to serve as priests, this call takes on a particular shape: to lead as Christ leads, and to love as Christ loves. From that relationship and that communion, the priest is entrusted with the care of souls, not as a manager or a mere functionary, but as a shepherd after the Heart of Christ who teaches, sanctifies, and walks closely with his people in the concrete realities of their lives.
On this Sunday, we rightly look forward, praying for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The Church needs good shepherds, men willing to give their lives in quiet fidelity, in hidden sacrifice, and in joyful service. We pray that many will hear the Lord’s voice and have the courage to respond with generous hearts.
I invite us also today to use this Sunday as an opportunity to intentionally look back with gratitude, as each of us has been shaped, in one way or another, by the ministry of priests. Perhaps it was the priest who baptized you, or heard your first confession. Perhaps it was the one who witnessed your marriage, buried a loved one, or simply offered a word of counsel at just the right moment. Pray for these men, who with all their humanity and limitations, have been instruments of the Good Shepherd in your life.
Call them to mind by name, and then pray for them. Pray that they may be strengthened in their vocation. Pray that they may be faithful and joyful. Pray that they may continue to lead and to love you with the heart of Christ. As a priest, I am exceedingly grateful to all who pray for me, especially the 7 Sisters Apostolate here at All Saints!
Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
All you holy saints of God, pray for us!
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Michael Silloway
Pastor