4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER : JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND CHURCH VOCATIONS..........

On this 4th Sunday of Easter, as we near the midway mark in the 50 Days of the Paschal Season, we look to the Risen Christ, as Jesus, the Good Shepherd of Souls. As Jesus tells us in the Gospel Proclamation from John 10:27-30, "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me". We the faithful and fervant followers of Jesus the Christ, are the sheep of His flock, in the sheep-fold that is the Body of Christ in the world, the Church. Through 2,000 years the Church has persevered and prospered in spite of the human maladies of persecution, wars, scandals, and because of evangelization, reform, and renewal, down through the centuries to this, its 3rd Millennium. Paul and Barnabas, in Acts 13:14, 43-52; today's First Reading at Mass, did what they and the other disciples were commissioned to do by the Risen Christ, they went forth and spread the Good News, evangelizing and initiating others into the Christian Faith. And they did not flag or turn back, but pushed forward in proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Messiah. The 4th Week of Easter that we enter today is also the annual observance of Vocations Awareness Week. As Catholic-Christians we are called upon to pray and work within our family homes and parish churches by focusing on the fostering of priestly and religious vocations from among the young people and adults, who are our children, relatives, friends, and fellow believers. The Sacramento Diocese like every diocese, needs more priests, sisters, brothers, deacons, to carry out the mission of the Church and those vocations need to come ever more abundantly from the vineyard of our own homes, parishes, and diocesan family. Parents must seriously sow the seed of potential Church vocations in the home; and parish communities also bear the responsibility for nurturing and encouraging those within their congregationns who may well have a calling to the priesthood, religious life, or diaconate. So as you listen for, hear, and answer, the voice of the Good Shepherd may the week ahead be a time of prayer, discussion, and discernment, as to how your families and parishes can and will promote the possibilty of Church vocations. Current findings as to the best way to discover the priestly and religious calling, besides authentically living our Faith, is being asked, "Have you thought of becoming a...priest...brother...sister...deacon... ???? Do you have enough commitment and courage as a follower of Christ Jesus, to ask your son, daughter, friend, or fellow believer, about their willingness to embrace a Church Vocation ?.......... Peace In The Risen Christ Who Is The Good Shepherd Of Our Souls, Fr. Troy