Fourth Sunday of Easter
‘I am the good shepherd … I know my sheep and my own know me’
Today’s readings invite us to contemplate the tender image of Christ as the Good Shepherd, who leads, protects, and cares for his flock. His relationship with the sheep is one of trust, recognition, and belonging, where the sheep follow only their shepherd, the one who knows them personally and calls them by name. Today is also kept as Vocations Sunday. As we consider how each of us responds to the voice of the Good Shepherd, we pray for the grace to respond to God’s invitation, always trusting in his loving care and guidance through any struggles. The quotations below are a couple of excerpts from Pope Leo XIV on vocations for this Sunday.
“The Lord of life knows us and enlightens our hearts with his loving gaze.” Indeed, every vocation begins with the awareness and experience of a God who is love (cf. 1 Jn 4:16). He knows us profoundly; he has counted the hairs of our head (cf. Mt 10:30) and has envisaged for each person a unique path of holiness and service. Yet this awareness must always be reciprocal. We are invited to know God through prayer, listening to the Word, the Sacraments, the life of the Church and works of charity for our brothers and sisters. Like the young Samuel, who unexpectedly heard the voice of the Lord during the night and learned to recognize it with the help of Eli (cf. 1 Sam 3:1–10), we too must create a space for interior silence in order to hear what the Lord desires for our happiness.’ ‘Dear young people, listen to this voice! Listen to the voice of the Lord who invites you to a full and fruitful life, calling you to put your talents to use (cf. Mt 25:14-30) and to unite your limitations and weaknesses with the glorious cross of Christ. Make time, then, for Eucharistic adoration; meditate faithfully on the word of God, so that you may put it into practice each day; and participate actively and fully in the sacramental and ecclesial life of the Church. In this way, you will come to know the Lord. Through the intimacy of his friendship, you will discover how to give of yourselves, whether through marriage, the priesthood, the permanent diaconate, or consecrated life. Every vocation is an immeasurable gift for the Church and for those who receive it with joy. To know the Lord means above all learning to entrust oneself to him and to his providence, which is abundant in every vocation.’
Looking at the Cathedral records this week I noticed that it was three years ago that the hoardings were erected around the Cathedral garden and former visitor centre for the start of the initial enabling works. I announced in the newsletter at the time, that within three years we should have a new cafe and shop facility also incorporating a newly designed garden and access ramp as a route for pedestrians through the garden to the Cathedral entrance. Three years later we are still not sure when building works will commence. However it finally looks as though we now have the green light to take the proposed design scheme to planning with the expectation that public consultation meetings will be announced at the end of the month of May. Alleluia. There will however be a hard road ahead with considerable fund raising required along the way.
Monsignor Anthony O’Brien
Dean