4th Sunday of Easter

Dear Friends,

In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us:  “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” 

Jesus is in a situation where he is trapped in the corner of the temple and dared to repeat His claims form when he healed the blind man in John 9- the analogies of sheep and shepherds. Jesus not only responds with His original claim, but continues even against the rage of His critics.

Jesus never told us it was going to be easy, but he has laid out the path. If we take a look at early Christians, we are reminded of those that were arrested, sentenced to death, and martyred. Those that weren’t had to flee. Jesus is our Good Shepherd that gave His life for us. We are his sheep and must listen to His call, even if we don’t understand it at first. Everything He does, He does in love of us, even to the point of death on a cross. He is our protector who guards, guides, and unites us in the Truth and we are assured of His gifts if we continue to listen to His voice. We are called to come to prayer to keep us close to God, deepening our relationship with Him and experience His love. Let us listen to God with all our hearts!

~Lauren Kratzenberg, Communications/Music Coordinator