11 May, Sunday — Lost & Found

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we welcome Susanah, a cradle Catholic who spent three-quarters of her life in ‘desert wanderings’. Seven years ago, she irreversibly let God love her. In so doing, she finally ‘got it’ – her identity and purpose; to be who God wants her to be, so she can set hearts on fire for him. For her, surrendering to God’s will is by no means easy, but it has been liberating. Surrendering to God has not kept sorrow and hardship away from her life, but it certainly has helped her find joy amid sorrow, peace amid turmoil and courage in the face of fear. She has had a conversion of the heart not because she is good, but because God is good. May the Lord’s name always be praised!

4th Sunday of Easter — Good Shepherd Sunday

Acts 13:14,43-52
Apo 7:9,14-17
Jn 10:27-30

… Jesus said: “The sheep that belong to me, listen to my voice.”

Good Shepherd Sunday, also known as Vocations Sunday, was instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1964. It is a special day that is dedicated to all who shepherd others – in imitation of Christ Jesus, our Good Shepherd – whether at home, in the Church, or at work.

The Gospel reading for this Sunday certainly reinforces who our ultimate Shepherd is, and to whose fold we belong. Though short, the Scripture passage packs a punch, and what I find most impactful about it, what hits home the most for me is how, in just 10 lines or so, St. John tells us in no uncertain terms that in order to follow Christ, in order to be part of and to stay within Jesus’ flock, we must listen to his voice. But in order to listen to his voice, we must first know it. Then, the rest of his divine promises will follow — eternal life, never being lost nor stolen from him, to be the Father’s children because we are one with Jesus (Jn 10:28-30).

I have often asked myself, ‘How well I know the voice of our Good Shepherd, Jesus. And knowing it, how often do I follow his call?’

To be honest, on any given day, I could be that happy lamb — feeling safe and secure rubbing my woolly coat against a multitude of other Jesus-following, Jesus-listening sheep, knowing that in an authentic faith-seeking community, it is harder to get lost. In that same day, I could also be a listening lamb emulating the Good Shepherd in herding others back to the safety of his fold, by witnessing to his love and mercy. Often too, I’ve been the wandering lamb, who, in losing focus and sight of Jesus, takes a wrong turn, gets lost and turns goat-like!

Yes, I have been every which kind of lamb-goat-lamb, and the Good Shepherd knows my daily struggles in hearing his voice and keeping up with his flock. But, the beauty of getting lost is being found. Too often, we only realise how utterly overjoyed we are when he finds us. Snug in his cradling arms, sometimes slung over his strong shoulders when I’m particularly battered and forlorn for having gotten lost, is when I’m awash in sweet inner relief that I am in his sacred safe space and can regain fullness of life again; that is when I can heal and be a lamb at peace.

Jesus as Good Shepherd is God who seeks us out tirelessly and relentlessly, one who feeds us daily with his Word and the Eucharist, who leads us to him and refreshes us interiorly as Living Water, who binds our hurts and heals us with his own holy wounds. Jesus as Good Shepherd is God who carries us for as long as we need to be, especially when, exhausted from our sinful wanderings, all we can do is lie down on the soft, green pastures he gives us to revive our drooping spirits.

In fact, to know the voice of the Shepherd, and listen to him, is my heart and soul’s salvation, my only chance of ever going Home.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Susanah Cheok)

Prayer: Jesus, my Good Shepherd, keep me ever in your sight. When I am wilful and wander, hear my cries and carry me home in your loving arms and keep me safe within your fold. Under your watchful tendering is where I will thrive. I need you, dear Shepherd, to always show me the Way. Amen.

Thanksgiving: My loving Lord, thank you for carrying me when I’m lame, feeding me when I’m hungry, and quenching my thirst for your love and mercy. Each new day begins with your direction and guidance, without which I would be utterly lost. You leave the 99 to find me over and over again. Thank you for loving me so completely. Amen.