Author: SHSS

A Blessed Good Shepherd Sunday Greeting

I wish you a blessed and happy Fourth Sunday of Easter. Today is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday.

The Heart of a True Shepherd

Shepherds are people who care for their sheep. They live with the sheep. They protect the sheep. They comfort the sheep. They correct the sheep. They are watchful and vigilant. They are always on guard over their sheep. The foundation for their dedication to the sheep is their love for their flock. It was from the sheep that the shepherd obtained the wool for his clothing and milk for his nourishment. The shepherd served the sheep.

Jesus: The Good Shepherd

Jesus self-identifies as the Good Shepherd. He applies all the requirements of the shepherd to himself. Jesus gathers his flock, calls his sheep by name, and even lays down his life for his sheep. We are his flock. Jesus corrects, is watchful, and protects his sheep.

Called to Shepherd in Christ’s Place

Jesus accomplishes his shepherding by calling shepherds to act in his place. These shepherds are our bishops, pastors, priests, religious, and dedicated lay people who serve us. Those who act in the place of the Good Shepherd must know the Good Shepherd, learn from the Good Shepherd, be dedicated to the spiritual and temporal welfare of the congregation, correct firmly but kindly, and always serve the flock. At times the shepherd may even have to lay down his life for his flock or congregation.

Christ Calls Us By Name

In Sunday’s Gospel, we are told that Christ calls us by name. We are invited to hear the voice of the Shepherd in our hearts. Jesus knows us by name. He knows us individually and as a member of the community.

Discerning the Shepherd’s Voice

How do we know that voice? In a world of many voices found on the internet, Facebook, television, newspapers, and all social media, how do we discern the voice of the Good Shepherd? With the advice and expectations placed on us by friends and family, how do we recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd in our lives? Who helps us to hear the voice of Christ in our hearts and souls?

Where to Find Christ’s Voice

We are invited to hear the voice of the Lord through contemplating the Gospel and other sacred texts. The voice of the Lord is spoken in the Tradition of the Church, especially in the writings of the Fathers. The voice of God is found in being involved in our local parish community. It is found in the cry of the poor and the joy of the young. The voice of God is discerned for us by good and spiritually minded priests, sisters and bishops, parents and teachers, and it is found in the depths of our innermost being.

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
April 24, 2026

Sunday is the Third Sunday of Easter. We are now in the Easter Season, which will continue until Pentecost—May 24 this year. Sunday’s readings are inspiring and uplifting. We shall focus on the Gospel and relate the other readings to this great Gospel message. This is my favorite Easter story.

In the Gospel, we meet two dejected, sad, mournful, and disillusioned disciples leaving Jerusalem. They are discussing all that happened to Jesus as they walk. In the midst of their discussion, Jesus approaches but is not recognized by the sad disciples. He inquires about the topic of their discussion. The two, surprised that he does not know about all that happened to Jesus, fill him in. Jesus then addresses some questions to the disciples. Ascertaining their answers, he begins to teach them, explaining the scriptures regarding the Messiah.

Lessons from the Road

They reach an inn and invite Jesus to stay. He does, and while they are eating, he takes bread, blesses it, and gives it to them. With this gesture, they recognize the stranger, whereupon Jesus vanishes.

There are many lessons we can take from this story. First, the disciples perhaps had a narrow understanding of the term Messiah. Jesus explains the redemptive role of the Messiah. He uses the sacred text, known to the two men, to reveal his identity. Is this not similar to the first part of the liturgy in the Catholic Church? We read the Word. We seek to understand the text so that we may find meaning in our own lives here and now.

Jesus draws near as they are discussing. When we study sacred scripture from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter is explaining the sacred text to his own people. It is most important that we understand the scripture. Understanding the text helps our faith to grow.

Recognizing Christ in the Breaking of the Bread

Second, as the three are walking, they come to an inn and seat themselves at a table. Jesus takes bread, blesses it, and gives it to them. In this action, they recognize Jesus. (The term “breaking of the bread” is an ancient term referring to the Eucharist.) Upon recognizing Jesus, with burning hearts they get up and return to Jerusalem to share the good news of having encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

Is this not similar to our experience of Mass? After hearing the Word, we celebrate the Eucharist. It is during the celebration of the Eucharist that Jesus becomes visibly and really present under the appearances of bread and wine. We Catholics believe that Jesus is really present, not symbolically present. In the Eucharist, we celebrate, receive, and adore Christ present. In the Eucharist, we encounter the Risen Christ.

So when the two recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread, it emphasizes the real presence of Christ. We meet the Risen Christ in the Sacraments, in the Word, in the gathering of the people, and most especially in the Eucharist

Prayers from Emmaus

Third, the Emmaus Gospel gives us two prayers. The first is said by the disciples, who think their traveling companion is going on further. They say, “Stay with us.” We can say the same prayer when evening approaches, when some darkness is surrounding us, when we are confused, when we are sad. This prayer inspired the Italian hymn “Resta Con Noi.”

Second, the Gospel teaches us to be open to the lessons of scripture. The disciples confess that their hearts were burning within them. When we are moved by the sacred text, we know it. This happens when the text seems to speak directly to you.

Lastly, when the disciples recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread, Jesus vanishes from their sight. While they may not see him, he has vanished into them. They are on fire with the Good News of the Resurrection. This is a big change. When we met them, they were running away. Jesus found them, healed them, and changed them for the better. He can do the same for you if we allow him.

Now they are running to Jerusalem to share the Good News. When was the last time your faith made you excited enough to share it? In the end, one never knows who one will meet on our life journey. Some we meet can fill our lives with joy and hope. Some we meet can teach us how to attain that joy and hope. Perhaps one day we will meet the one who is joy and hope.

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
April 19, 2026
Sunday Readings

Divine Mercy Sunday: Healing Through Christ’s Wounds

The Sunday after Easter has been designated by St. John Paul II as Divine Mercy Sunday. In today’s Gospel, Thomas is healed by touching the wounds of Christ. Christ redeems us through his passion.

It is in facing our wounded nature—both as a community and as individuals—that we can find healing. Seeing our wounded nature can be painful. Healing that nature can be difficult, yet Christ is our hope and strength. Even the worst of sins can be forgiven and healed.

The Heart of Mercy

Mercy is a word that comes from Latin: misericordia. This word means to suffer pain in one’s heart for another. In asking God for mercy, we are asking God to have suffering in his heart for us.

Likewise, we are asked by God to have pain in our hearts for the pain of others. Mercy is active—it does what it can to relieve the suffering of others through prayer and actions (the corporal and spiritual works of mercy).

Mercy for the Broken

There are people who feel that their lives are so mixed up, or that they have sinned most grievously, that forgiveness or reconciliation for them is impossible. Today the readings remind us that this is not true. Mercy is available. Lives can change for the better.

We as individuals, and we as the Body of Christ, are always in need of mercy. No one is so perfect as not to need mercy—either from God or from each other.

A Call to Share Mercy

Today, on Divine Mercy Sunday, forgive someone with whom you are angry. Mercy is given to us to be shared among us. Think about what really is important.

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
April 12, 2026