Daily Gospel Reflection for May 4, 2020

Reflection by Fr. Edward Looney

Today's Gospel: John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me.”

Every time we hear the gospel of the Good Shepherd, it should be an invitation for us to pray for the shepherds of the Church, that they may imitate and become more like Christ the Good Shepherd. In your petitionary prayer, how often do you pray for the Holy Father, your local bishop, your pastor, and all other priests who are important to you? Some people, when they pray the rosary, offer the first Our Father for the Holy Father. Or maybe when you pray the rosary, you could offer an intention during the fifth Luminous mystery, Christ’s institution of the Holy Eucharist, for the priests who are dear to you.

Jesus says that a Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep and that he knows them by name. I’m sure in your life as a Catholic you might have a recollection of a priest laying down his life for you or your family. It could have been a visit in the night to your dying loved one so they could receive the Anointing of the Sick and the apostolic pardon. Or maybe you felt special because the priest called you by name when he saw you or knew something about your family. These are all moments for us to be grateful for the good and holy priests we have.

Unfortunately, others have disappointed us, and have not lived up to the ideal of Christ the Shepherd. They too invite us to prayer.

Make it a point today to pray for the Holy Father who shepherds the Church Universal, for your bishop who cares for the local diocese, and your pastor, who cares for your soul and all the souls entrusted to his care.

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Ponder:

What priest are you most grateful for in your life?

Pray:

Thank you Lord for the ministry of the priesthood. Conform the hearts of all priests to the heart of Christ the Good Shepherd.

Fr. Edward Looney was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Green Bay in June 2015, and is an internationally recognized Marian theologian, writer, speaker, and radio personality. Author of the best-selling books, A Heart Like Mary’s and A Rosary Litany, he has also written a prayer book for the only American-approved Marian apparition received by Adele Brise in 1859 in Champion, Wisconsin.

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