Good News Reflection FOR NEXT SUNDAY: April 25, 2010 Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle C

Good News Reflection
FOR NEXT SUNDAY: April 25, 2010
Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle C

Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA:
For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection,
please go to Catholic Digital Resources:
http://catholicdr.com/calendar/April/Easter4.htm - Preview a sample

Next Sunday's Readings:
Acts 13:14, 43-52
Ps 100:1-3, 5
Rev 7:9, 14b-17
John 10:27-30
http://www.usccb.org/nab/042510.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_04_25.mp3

Next Sunday's Gospel reading is short and to the point: Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is the only one we follow, the only one we trust blindly.

Others who have authority in our lives might be good shepherds, but none of them are to be followed blindly, not even the best of them. We respect the positions of bishops, parish pastors, employers, teachers, parents, etc., but all make mistakes, all sin, all have incomplete understandings of the situations for which they're responsible. We must use the Holy Spirit's gift of discernment in each case so that we don't behave like dumb sheep inadvertently cooperating with decisions that grieve our Father God.

Only Jesus can be blindly trusted. Only Jesus is perfect and knows all, understands all, and never sins. Only Jesus can successfully make the right decisions all the time and lead us through the various situations of life without inadvertently cooperating with evil. Only Jesus can discern and implement a plan that's best for every person who's affected by the plan. Only Jesus can lead us closer and closer to heaven while guiding us through the pitfalls and dangers of the journey.

And it is only Jesus who can smile at our blunders when we stray from his plans, because he knows that we still really do love him and want to do what's right. He knows how to implement a new plan that will steer us back into safe pastures. He compassionately holds onto us so that we don't wriggle away from the Father's hand forever.

Whenever we distrust anyone – ourselves, included – we can safely trust that no matter what happens, Jesus is always there, steadfastly guiding us and re-guiding us after we stray. Because we really do love him and want to do what's right, he is securing our safety, redeeming our mistakes, making good come from bad when we repent of our sins, and of course always making sure that we'll get home to heaven.

Questions for Personal Reflection:
How much do you trust yourself and your discernment of truth and your ability to stay on the path to heaven? Who else is difficult to trust right now? What will you do this week to entrust these matters to Jesus?

Questions for Family & Community Faith Sharing:
When is it difficult to trust Jesus? Why is it so difficult? Considering that past experiences with imperfect humans have caused you to project this distrust onto Jesus, what helps you overcome this so that you can trust God more?

STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org
* To join and become a member, go to:
http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/

© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
This work is NOT in Public Domain and may NOT be copied without permission.
You may print one copy for your own personal use.
For PERMISSION and info on how to copy this reflection for sharing, see:
http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm

Seeking a past reflection?
Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.

WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?
To sign up for your own subscription, go to:
http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections


Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?
Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...

Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!

Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.

______________________________________________________________
This is the "Good News Reflections - American Edition" mailing list.
MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:
Change your address
Unsubscribe