6 May
Sun 		4th Sunday of Easter (C)
Good Shepherd Sunday
Acts 13:14, 43-52
Ps. 100:2, 3, 5; Rev. 7:9, 14-17
Jn. 10:27-30
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Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. In the readings we hear about Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who takes care of us to the point of laying down His life for us. As long as we follow our Shepherd we have nothing to fear. "They will never be lost." The same promise is in the reading from Revelation: "The Lamb who is at the throne [of the Father] will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes." Today is a day when we pray especially for all those who in the Church are shepherds to the Christian flock.

We are constantly in need of leaders like Jesus our Good Shepherd. And each one of us is called to be a shepherd in some way, even if it means taking care of just one other person. It is not easy being a shepherd. The reading from Acts makes it clear that there will always be rejection by some. But there will also be those who welcome the shepherd's message with joy. And how will people hear, unless there are those who proclaim the message of hope and love?


Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we ask You today to bless all those who are shepherds in Your name and we pray that Your people may never lack the shepherds they truly need to follow You.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That refugee women, supported and respected, may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That refugee women, supported and respected, may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to

The responsibility for many political decisions leading to war rests predominantly with men. Consequently, while men get wounded or die, women and children become refugees exposed to assault, rape or loss of children. The ones who suffer most in these conflicts are the weakest who get uprooted and are forced to flee. This is not the way humanity is supposed to live.

Like all refugees women and girls face problems of various kinds and need the following: protection against forced return to their countries of origin; security against armed attacks and other forms of violence; protection from unjustified and unduly prolonged detention; a legal status that accords them adequate social, economic and legal rights; and access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. They also need protection against human rights abuses and the myriad problems they have to encounter to safeguard their dignity and personhood.

We are asked to be in solidarity with them and pray that refugee women may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to.



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