From the Desk of Father Mark - Our Pastor
April 21, 2024 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

"I am the Good Shepherd... I lay down my life in order to take it up again."

The Gospel of John offers an insight into the identity of Jesus that is enhanced from the other gospels. One enhancement is using “I AM” statements. Some examples are:

I AM the bread of life. I AM the resurrection and the life. I AM the way, the truth and life. I AM the light of the world. I AM the gate. I AM the Good Shepherd.

These "I AM" statements are used as a way of Jesus identifying himself. This self-awareness is important in understanding the life of Jesus on earth, and his life in eternity.

Jesus, identifying himself as the Good Shepherd, distinguishes him from the flock. He is in the flock but not of the flock; he is in the world but not of the world. Knowing he is the shepherd is critical to his relationship to us. "I know my sheep and mine know me" indicates that Jesus knows who we are.

To make it more personal, say to yourself, “He knows me.” As we look at our life, we often find the need to explain our needs to God, as if He does not understand. Yet, when we surrender our problems and worries to God; He will come to our aid.

The Good Shepherd directs and leads his sheep not in an aggressive way, but in an influential and loving way. A sheep that does not follow the shepherd's lead becomes a lost sheep. The shepherd then does what he can, to find the lost sheep and return it to the fold.

The identity of the shepherd is "dependent" on the success of the sheep. Any parent or teacher understands this image. Any success of any student I have ever taught is a success to me too! The shepherd rejoices when his sheep are living well and are found. The love of the shepherd is unconditional because it is who Jesus is... I AM who AM. The shepherd rejoices when we rejoice with him... it is then we are found.

NEW MASS SCHEDULE BEGINNING MAY 19 - As I mentioned last week, it appears as of now, that I will soon be the only priest available for Mass in our parish. To accommodate this, I will have to alter the Sunday Mass schedule. Saturday 4 pm at St. Linus will remain the same. Sunday morning will be: St. Linus, 7:30 am and 10:30 am. Our Lady of the Ridge, 9 am. I realize some will see this as a loss, but we will still be offering 4 weekend Masses. On a personal note, this will give me the opportunity to be available at every Mass every weekend in every site, which I like. Our united parish has seen change over the last three years, but we have been successful in strengthening our faith and living as a local Catholic parish. Thank you for that!

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATION - Good Shepherd Sunday is also an occasion to pray for and encourage vocations to priesthood and the religious life.

Have a great week!

Fr. Mark Walter
Pastor of Our Lady of the Ridge - St.Linus Parish