Good Shepherd Sunday
Young children can be a priceless tonic on a challenging day. Years back, while I was working with a difficult manager, my friends’ four year old son picked up a stick in the park and proceeded to proclaim resolutely, “I’m going to fight your boss!” His endearing gesture of defence and protection touched my heart. Although it did nothing to alleviate the cause of the issue, it did influence my response to it. It motivated me not to reciprocate the manager’s enmity, but rather to respond in love so that I would not betray this child’s good opinion of me.
That same willingness to defend and protect is a key component of the priestly vocation which we honour today, Good Shepherd Sunday. Entrusted with tending to God’s flock through the ministry of the Word, the sacraments, and the service of charity, priests share in the pastoral mission of Jesus. Theirs is a relationship of love that is nourished at the altar where they experience the depth of Christ’s love and learn to express it in their own lives. In this way they become a living icon of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, giving wholly of themselves to his flock now entrusted to them.
The relationship of sheep and shepherd is built on familiarity and mutual attachment whereby the shepherd protects and cares for the sheep, and they trust and follow him. “The sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out … he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice.” (Jn: 3-4)
Like all paths to sanctity, the priestly vocation is not always easy, “for the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life” (Mt 7:14), and they warrant our prayers as much as we do theirs. In addition to prayer, you might consider fasting and undertaking penance for your priests from time to time, as they do for us. Today’s dedication to their ministry might prompt you to offer affirmation and encouragement through written word to thank them for what they do and offer reassurance that their work has borne fruit in your life.
Our prayers should also extend to new vocations, for today is dedicated to the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1963, this day highlights that every vocation is a sign of hope, encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones to serve in the Church. Let us join the universal Church to pray for this intention, and for the sanctification of priests so that they may be shining examples of a holy, simple, and joyful life.
And pray for that little boy who wanted so gallantly to defend and protect me. Perhaps the Holy Spirit planted a seed in him that day…
This piece was originally published in the St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat newsletter on the 4th Sunday of Easter, 26 April 2026.