CHARLOTTE — Keep your spirits high and remember that the Risen Lord, the Good Shepherd, is with you in these difficult times.
That was the message from Bishop Peter Jugis May 3 for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also called Good Shepherd Sunday.
In a Mass livestreamed on Facebook from St. Patrick Cathedral, offered privately due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on public gatherings, Bishop Jugis reflected on the Gospel reading from John 10:1-10 and encouraged the faithful not to lose sight of the joy of Easter.
“Jesus is risen from the dead and He is with us always,” he said. “He never abandons the sheep of His flock, but remains with His flock at all times to guide us.
“This is our Easter joy: a Savior who loves us and who cares for us.”
“At this time of the virus pandemic, it is good to reminded of this Easter message: that the Good Shepherd stays with us and that He is so intimately involved with His flock. He knows each of His sheep by name, and He cares personally for each of His sheep.”
Jesus remains with us in the Eucharist, at home in our families, in prayer, and in so many other ways, the bishop said.
“Stay close to this Good Shepherd,” he urged, especially as we are all being called to make sacrifices during the pandemic – including staying at home and avoiding physical contact, wearing face masks and following other public health precautions.
“When you are asked to make these sacrifices for the good and the well-being of the larger community, turn them into opportunities to lean on the Lord more closely, instead of dwelling on how you’re being inconvenienced,” Bishop Jugis said.
“Keep your spirits high by turning to the Good Shepherd in every situation.”
Jesus will keep His flock “safe, secure and protected,” the bishop assured people as he prayed, “May the peace of our Risen Lord, our Good Shepherd, be with you throughout this Easter season.”
— Catholic News Herald
Image at top: “Le Bon Pasteur,” by Philippe de Champaigne (1883)