Three Thoughts for Today

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, we observe the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Mother’s Day. I have three thoughts to share with you.

My go-to psalm while meditating in front of the Blessed Sacrament is Psalm 23. I know this psalm by heart. I sometimes fall asleep reflecting on the words of this psalm: the Lord is my shepherd. Jesus knows my heart and my heart knows him. I belong to him--not to what’s trending, not to political ideology, .... Jesus is my light and my salvation. Whom should I fear?

Last weekend we had two seminarians from St. John’s Seminary share with us their vocation stories, about what led them to pursue the priesthood. Monica and I have two sons. We spoke to them about the priesthood as they were growing up, and they’ve been open to discerning that vocation.  We had been praying that one (or both of them!) would be called by God to serve as a priest. One got married last January, but there’s one more! We’ll see where the Lord leads him!

Mother’s Day, celebrated on the second Sunday in May, is another occasion for us as individuals and as a community to express our love, gratitude, and recognition of the essential role that mothers and mother-figures play in our lives. I believe Mother’s Day should be at least a month-long celebration, not just one day!  Like you, I remember my mother in a special way today. On Christmas Day 2010, Monica, my sons (Daniel and Lorenzo), and I visited my mother. We sang Silent Night to her, in four-part harmony. Later that evening, she passed on to eternity with God: “Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.” Love transcends even death. Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers living and deceased!