Hello Everybody,
Updates:
1. Mass intentions. Yesterday I failed to write that the 9 am Mass was offered for Joyce Brassard (by Larry Brassard), and the 11 am Mass for Gerald Patnode (by Barbara Audette). In case I didn't mention Saturday's Mass, it was offered for the intentions of all of you, the parishioners.
2. The Mass today was offered for all the parishioners and for Declan Pine as a birthday memorial (by Russell and Carolyn Mitchell).
3. Another episode of Through Saintly Eyes will run tomorrow, Tuesday, at 5:00, as opposed to the usual time. Our subject for the episode is St. Athanasius! Join us at https://www.facebook.com/ourladyvt
4. Mass sign ups. Two slots remain open for Friday. If you have not signed up yet, feel free to do so. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-bKcQr7kx8KBN0Z3TtGYWeUG5dkX6amKRNV7BunBSrc/edit?usp=sharing
5. Also, concerning Mass -- if you are willing to read, would you indicate that in parentheses after your name? that would be great. Again, the sign up sheet is here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-bKcQr7kx8KBN0Z3TtGYWeUG5dkX6amKRNV7BunBSrc/edit?usp=sharing
Reflection:
(http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050420.cfm)
The Gospel continues the passage on the Good Shepherd that we heard this Sunday. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep. It's interesting that Jesus compares himself to a hired hand. He does not compare himself to, say, the wolf. That would hardly illustrate the point he's trying to make. He's illustrating his goodness; to compare himself with something obviously bad would not highlight his goodness very well. Instead, Jesus contrasts himself with the hired hand.
The difference between the hired hand and the Good Shepherd is not that one cares for the sheep and the other doesn't. They both do. And often they both do a good job caring for the sheep. The difference is less visible, and only comes out in moments of trial. The hired man cares for the sheep in order to earn a salary. There's nothing wrong with a salary, but it means that the ultimate concern of the worker is what he gains from the arrangement. The sheep are a means to the goal that he's really pursuing. Again, there's nothing wrong with working for a further goal, for monetary gain, but it is quite different from working for love. That's how Jesus emphasizes his goodness. He takes something perfectly fine and respectable, and then shows how he transcends that. Jesus does not care for the sheep because he gains something from it, thought that would be perfectly fine. Rather, Jesus simply cares for the sheep because he loves them. They are his ultimate concern. He cares for them, period. The proof of it is in the moments of trial. The hired man runs away from the attacking wolf, because his own life and well-being are his ultimate concern. The Good Shepherd stays and faces the wolf, because the sheep are his ultimate concern.
A parallel theme running through the readings today is that this generous and sacrificial love of the Good Shepherd is not limited to one class of people or nation. Jesus says, 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. Presumably Jesus means to indicate that the Jewish people are not the only ones who belong to him. He has come for all people; his salvation is not offered to a limited set. The same point plays out in the first reading. St. Peter says, If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God? The other Christians, convinced by his reasoning, glorified God, saying, “God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too.”
The extension of God's saving plan to the non-Jewish people struck the early Christians like "lightning out of a clear sky." The chosen people had not realized that they were chosen to be a conduit, not the repository. But God's generosity knows no limits. It includes even us.
May we better appreciate God's mercy in choosing even us, and thereby more freely extend mercy to the others around us, especially those who seem different, other, insufferable, or unworthy.
May God bless you all!
Peace,
Fr. Rensch