GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY
 
The love of God has taken us in as Jesus the good shepherd - the one who lays down his life for the sake of his fold.

Just a few weeks ago, we saw Jesus on the cross. The inability of Jesus to protect and defend himself was viewed by the world as a sign of weakness. But we know the truth. Jesus did not remain dead. He did not succumb himself to defeat. In fact, his resurrection defeated death and sin.

In this Fourth Sunday of Easter, let us accept the invitation of the Good Shepherd to lead us to a stream of living water, so that in turn we may also lead others to the banquet of the lamb.

The gospel reading for the Third Sunday of Easter is rich in symbolism. Two disciples were walking, and they were in despair following the loss of the physical presence of their teach and Lord, Jesus Christ. There were hopeless and seemed lost.

Then came Jesus, walking with them. At first they did not recognize him and then something miraculous happened - at the breaking of the bread.

This story prefigures the Mass - Jesus, the Bread of Life is broken and shared. We are all like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus; through the eyes of faith we recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. May we continue to deepen our faith in the mystery of the Eucharist where Jesus continuously gives Himself unselfishly to us. 

Eight days after we celebrated the Resurrection of the Lord, comes what we can call the greatest feast ever established in the modern day - the Feast of Divine Mercy, which is by essence the fruit of the resurrection. 

Jesus died and rose from the dead for one important reason - to flood the earth with His Divine Mercy. At the cross, blood and water poured out from the Heart of Jesus - the sign of His overflowing mercy upon us.

Our Lord, the King of Mercy, told Saint Faustina, "I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open." This is the greatest gift of the Risen Lord for all eternity.

Let us praise God for His loving mercy and compassion. And through the prayers of our Blessed Mother, Saint Faustina, and Saint John Paul II - the great apostle of Divine Mercy in the modern time - may we all come to the fountain of mercy and be filled with the grace of God.