At the same time, we pray for the full recovery of Lupe Castañeda as well as her husband, Juan. We pray as well for the Elsey family and brother, Fr. Ron Young, O.M.I., whose father, Jim Tukesbrey, is now enjoying the fullness of life with the Lord. Incidentally, one aspect of this ministry will be to provide a place for prayer requests. As we know, prayer is related to the A of ACTS. Our Faith can never be alive and strong without it.
The Peace of Conversion
During the Easter season, we hear readings from the Book of Acts. This coming Sunday’s reading is referring to St. Paul after his conversion experience. In effect, as we know from Acts 9:3-6, he underwent his conversion experience and thus saw the light of Christ. It is this kind of experience that we pray the ladies doing the ACTS retreat will likewise experience.
“The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the holy Spirit it grew in numbers.” ~ Acts 9:31
This passage indicates how the Church was at peace and was being built up through the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Each of us, likewise, having undergone a deeper conversion, experience the peace that the Lord wills for us.
The Shepherd Loves His Sheep
Generally, during the Easter season, we reflect on the Gospel of John. After indicating that Jesus came that we might have life to the full in John 10:10, we have this coming Sunday’s Gospel that is the favorite image of Jesus of so many Catholics, i.e., the Good Shepherd. This Sunday is referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday as well as the “world day of prayers” for vocations.
“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.” ~ John 10:14-15
John’s Gospel is much different that the Synoptic Gospels. It was written last and reflects issues connected with the Community of the Beloved Disciple. All Gospels have as their main themes that Jesus, the Messiah (the Christ) was the Son of God. In John’s Gospel, there are seven “I am” statements. The Jewish people of Faith knew that God had revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush story as “I am: or Yahweh. Jesus says “I am” the Good Shepherd. The theme of shepherds and sheep is a recurring one in the Bible. For example, we love to hear and pray the words of Psalm 23 which we so often do at funerals. “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”