In this week’s pastoral letter titled “I am of the good Shepherd,” the bishop of Córdoba Demetrio Fernandez has highlighted the importance of the message of the good Shepherd in the celebration of the Fourth Sunday of Easter, which coincides with the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and the Day of Native Vocations, and carries with it a call to reflection about the deep meaning of vocation and missionary service.
“The figure of the good Shepherd appears radiant on this Fourth Sunday of Easter, soaking the entire week in the tenderness of the shepherd,” the prelate writes in his letter. The Monsignor has emphasized the difference between the good shepherd, who cares for and loves his sheep, and those who neglect their flock. The pastoral letter focuses on the idea of giving one’s life for others, just as Jesus Christ did. «Giving life is not only giving life of what one has, communicating it to others. Giving one’s life is giving one’s life, it is spending one’s life, it is losing one’s life so that others may have life, and life in abundance,” the bishop stressed.
In that sense, the bishop appeals to this year’s motto, “Thy will be done. All disciples, all missionaries. And he writes that “the Pope Francisco “It reminds us on the occasion of this Day that it is about getting involved, risking one’s life, spending it in missionary service to others.”
In the catacombs of Saint Domitilla, in Rome, an image of the Good Shepherd is preserved, probably from the 3rd century. For a long time, this image of Jesus as Shepherd will be the favorite subject of Christian artists. In their representations, the first Christians were inspired by the text of Saint John
The celebration of this world day invites us to reflect on the vocation as a call from God for mission. “Each one of us has a vocation for a mission, entrusted by God,” explained the monsignor. This vocation, he points out, calls us to open our hearts and align ourselves with the will of God.
With a special message for the youth, the bishop urges that there are more people willing to dedicate their lives to missionary service and to the various vocations in the Church. “Let us ask the Lord that there are many people, young people above all, willing to give their lives so that others may have life in the different vocations of God in his Church,” he concludes.
