From the Desk of Father Romeo Velos – GOOD SHEPHERD

Our Catholic Church is so blessed with the election of a new Pope, Leo XIV. And this historical event falls on the week leading to the Good Shepherd Sunday. God is so good giving us a new Shepherd. He is so gracious, a God of surprises. As a Good Shepherd, He provides, guides, liberates, saves and protects us always. The author of Psalm 23rd declares that the Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. In green pastures He leads me. Even if I walk in the valley of darkness, I shall not fear for His rod and staff protect me. God is always presented as the Shepherd of His people. And the leaders and rulers of Israel are also called by God to be shepherds of His people. King David was a shepherd. But the leaders of Israel failed miserably in their responsibility. Instead of feeding their people, they enrich themselves. The sheep are scattered and killed by their enemies. That is why, Jeremiah prophesied that God will shepherd His own people. And this is fulfilled in Jesus who proclaimed Himself as the Good Shepherd. My sheep hear my voice. How we do hear the voice of the Good Shepherd? St. Paul said that faith comes from hearing. Listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd leads to understanding and then assimilating His words, internalizing them and allowing them to flow into our hands. Like Mother Mary, she is a listener and doer of the Word. She treasures everything in her heart. We also hear the voice of the Good Shepherd in the Sacred Scriptures, sacraments, prayer, Holy Spirit and the life of the Saints. God speaks to us in the events of our daily lives and through people that we encounter everyday. We hear the voice of the Good Shepherd in our conscience because it is the voice of God calling us to do what is good, right and loving and to walk the right path. As baptized Christians, we are called to be shepherds to one another and to reveal God to the world by loving one another. We are called to continue the work of Jesus by teaching, healing and liberating. All of us are called to holiness and holiness is to be consecrated, set apart so that we are formed according to the mind and heart of God not for our sake but always for the sake of others. We are called to be imitators of Christ, ambassadors for Christ and responsible stewards of creation.