Third Sunday of Easter. April 24, 2004. Ministry Appreciation Sunday. Our Lady of Grace all Masses. Acts 5: 5:7b-32, 40b-41. Revelation 5: 11-14. John 2: 1-19.
Jesus knew that Peter would deny knowing him three times just when Jesus needed loyal friends most. Peter not only did not defend Jesus, he said he didn’t even know him. Standing at a distance and watching Jesus die among his enemies, almost totally abandoned by those he loved, was the terrible guilt and burden that Peter bore. Peter must have wondered about what Jesus would say to him when he met him alone after the Resurrection. Rather than scold or rebuke Peter, Jesus gave Peter his most precious possession, the care of the people Jesus died to save. Jesus said, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Peter responded, “Yes Lord, you know that in spite of everything, I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs”. Then Jesus asked a second and a third time. “Simon, do you love me?” Peter said, “You know everything, Lord. I do love you.” Jesus responded, “Tend my sheep – Feed my sheep.” To this very day, Pope John Paul – the 265th successor of St. Peter - shows his love for Christ by feeding and tending the whole Catholic Church throughout the world. The ministry of the Pope as the unifier of the Church and our leader in the ways of Christian truth and love is a very important one. On this Ministry Appreciation Sunday we begin by expressing our gratitude for the long and powerful ministry Pope John Paul has had among us.
We are all called to show our love for Christ by feeding Christ’s flock and by tending his lambs and sheep. As a parish community you care for Christ’s flock, both here and around the world, with deep faith and love. I know this personally because of the loving way that you have treated me. When I came to Our Lady of Grace a little over a year and a half ago I felt very uprooted and alone. The appointment letter from the Archbishop gave me the authority, responsibilities and expectations of the Pastor, yet I brought no one with me and I often didn’t know where to turn. When I responded with confusion, awkwardness or even too strongly, you surrounded me with your love and care. You have ministered to me in countless ways that have made me feel at home and loved. I will never be able to thank you enough for your ministry to me as a parish community and as individual parishioners. You have taught me to rely on you and trust. I am very grateful.
On this Ministry Appreciation Sunday I have asked a parishioner to join me in speaking about his (her) experience of the ministries of this parish. (Introduce the speaker)
Jesus said, “If you
love me, feed my lambs, tend my sheep.” We all share in the ministry of Christ. Jesus entrusts us with the care of the people
he died to save. Jesus needed the
ministry of Peter. Jesus needs the
ministry of Pope John Paul. Jesus needs
the ministry of you and me. Without the
many ministries of the Church we would all lose our way. Please pass out the sheet Angels Among us. Listen in the silence of your heart and thank
God for the many ministries of the Church.
(Play Angels Among Us by
(Listen)
I now