TODAY'S GOSPEL REFLECTION: "SPIRITUAL PARENTHOOD"

TODAY'S GOSPEL REFLECTION: "SPIRITUAL PARENTHOOD"

May 01, 2023. Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter. 

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, The Worker

Gospel

Jn 10:11-18

Jesus said:

“I am the good shepherd.

A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

A hired man, who is not a shepherd

and whose sheep are not his own,

sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,

and the wolf catches and scatters them.

This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd,

and I know mine and mine know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;

and I will lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.

These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,

and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

This is why the Father loves me,

because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.

I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.

This command I have received from my Father.”

Reflection

Let us pray as though everything is dependent on God. Blessed Fourth Monday of the Feast of Saint Joseph, The Worker. Each of us inherited an experience or skill from our parents. We grew up exposed to the type of work our parents does. Some of us are taught how to use the needle and thread to mend our clothes, some of us were taught how to replace a bicycle tire, some of us are even taught how to properly use a vacuum with our little hands, and many more. By reflecting on these memories of our childhood and looking back at how our parents guided us, we can get an idea of how Mary and Joseph as parents to Jesus. Mary is a simple housewife yet prayerful and Joseph is a carpenter and a man of few words, both have the duty to be faithful and industrious with their task for the glory of God. Mary and Joseph are both chosen to raise Jesus because they have values that are worth passing on to any individual. We may think that Jesus needs anyone like Mary and Joseph, but we know Christ is already perfect. Yet, our Lord Jesus Christ, in His earthly presence, needed to be raised by a mother and father in order to send a message to everyone about the importance of parenthood. In the Scriptures, we can see how Jesus showed us the great qualities He inherited from Mary and Joseph. Mary and Joseph are both patient people and have faithfulness to obedience. Not even once mentioned in the Bible that Mary or Joseph screamed, scolded, or maltreated Jesus, this is despite His missing years in the Bible. God The Father surely choose the right people to entrust them with the mission of raising Christ. Therefore when Jesus started His ministry, we can see how the love of Mary and Joseph is shown to people. Therefore, in Mary and Saint Joseph, we see the reflection of Christ. 

May we see the values we need to foster from reflecting on the Holy Family. Have faith that our families, when entrusted to Mary and Saint Joseph, shall be protected and lead to the path of salvation. We only need to be faithful. 

In the Name of the Father and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen+ 

Reflections by: T.K.R.S

Go to USCCB website for the full readings.