Fourth Sunday of Easter

My Dear parishioners,
 
Today on this Fourth Sunday of Easter we commemorate “Good Shepherd Sunday”. Each year on this day the Gospel reading comes from chapter 10 of John’s Gospel where we find the Lord Jesus referring to Himself as the Good Shepherd. Indeed He is, unlike others who are not caring of the sheep, the Lord Jesus is the one who has laid down His life for the flock. As a result of His sacrificial love demonstrated in His suffering and death upon the Cross, now risen from the dead, He leads His sheep to the evergreen pastures of heaven.
 
During the three years of their “ priestly formation” the Apostles witnessed the pastoral love Jesus had shown to all those who came to Him. He ministered to the sick, the impoverished, the possessed, the infirm, the grieving – both Jews and Gentiles alike. After Pentecost the Apostles emerged as those ordained by Christ to continue pastoral ministry in His Name. In today’s reading from Acts of the Apostles we see the Apostle Peter fearlessly preaching and healing in the Name of our Savior.  Likewise, their successors today are charged with the fulfillment of this pastoral mission until He returns again in glory.
 
This Sunday is an ideal time for us to reflect upon the pastoral ministry Christ entrusted to the Apostles and their successors through the sacrament of holy orders. We are invited to pray for those appointed as shepherds for the flock of Christ. They need our prayers and our support. Those chosen by Christ for ministry are human, thus they are weak and vulnerable like all. We need to strengthen them and uphold them in prayer so that they may have the courage to do what the Lord requires.
 
How blessed we are in Rockaway! Next month we will witness the priestly ordination of two young men intimately connected with our two parishes. Deacon Joseph Boykow and Deacon Mateusz Darlak will be ordained on Saturday, May 26 ^th  in Saint John the Baptist Cathedral in Paterson by His Excellency, Bishop Arthur Serratelli. Father Matt and Father Joseph will be wonderful additions to the ranks of those shepherds serving” the flock of Paterson.” Let us pray for them today as they prepare for pastoral service in the days ahead. May the Lord send us more good shepherds!
 
Christ is Risen!
Father Zig