Shepherd with a heart

The story is told about a prisoner who, having just been released from prison, was gleefully shouting, “I’m free! I’m free!” A little boy saw him and, not quite knowing what was going on, decided to join the fray, shouting, “I’m four! I’m four!”

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. In today’s Gospel (Jn. 10, 1-10), Jesus describes to us how to distinguish a good shepherd from one who is just faking it. A good shepherd operates from the heart; a fake shepherd operates from the pocket and from the mouth.

There are shepherds who are there just for the money and for the show, and who are prepared to go when things become dangerous or inconvenient for them. In other words, they have no commitment, and no staying power. Why? Because their ministry is never really about their sheep, but about their personal agenda and aggrandizement.

One of the saddest realizations in life is that we wasted the chance, the opportunity, the privilege, to really serve. May we have little or no regret that we loved too little, or too late.

Church, political, and civic leaders—to us are given the chance, the opportunity, and the privilege to be able to serve. That is why we are called public servants. To whom much is given, much is also required. May we focus more on what is required, and not on the power and the perks on the side.

More than our intelligence, more than our looks, more than our words, more than our riches and talents, what people will remember are the acts of kindness and genuine service that we have shown.

Today is World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Let us beg the Lord to raise in our midst men and women who are willing to sacrifice joyfully, and serve Him and His people humbly and selflessly.

Here is an interesting vocation story. Fr. Jay De Leon, SVD, was ordained on Dec. 3, 2016. He was born in Odiongan, Romblon, and studied to become a computer engineer. He worked in Japan for five years, and he met Filipino SVD missionaries who were in the SVD Nanzan University in Nagoya. And that was where good shepherds invited him to become one of them. Now, Father Jay is ready to be sent as a missionary shepherd to Botswana in Africa.

Father Jay attributes his vocation to his parents’ religiosity and good examples. He was also an active member of Singles for Christ. The family, parish, or the community is a rich ground for the seeds of vocation to grow and prosper.

The month of May is the month of Mama Mary. This Saturday, May 13, is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. It is also the centennial year of the Blessed Mother’s apparition in Fatima, Portugal. Let us emulate the virtues of Mama Mary so that we may become humble, joyful, patient, and prayerful shepherds, in whatever capacity.

Congratulations to all the successful 2017 bar examinees. Anyone who becomes a lawyer will tell you that there is no substitute for hard work. Perhaps we can add: Once a lawyer, there is no substitute for honest work.

We commend bar passer Ramil Comendador, who started with a humble job as a janitor and worked his way up to law school. His story is amazing, inspiring, and worth emulating.

Think about this: Kindness is a gesture motivated by love and fueled by good intentions. It touches other people’s hearts, inspires, and even changes lives favorably. People who are kind shall reap kindness in return, given through various means by the greatest source of love and kindness: Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

A moment with the Lord: Lord, help us to become like You, a shepherd with a heart. Amen.