GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY

Today we pray in gratitude for those who have given their lives to the priesthood or the consecrated life, as well as for those God is calling to one of these vocations. Pointing to St. Joseph as both a witness and a guide on our own vocational journeys, Pope Francis reminds us that we are never alone, for God communicates “not with dazzling visions but quietly speaking in the depths of our heart, drawing near to us and speaking to us through our thoughts and feelings.” I encourage all the faithful: tune your “inner ear” to God's words addressed uniquely to you and respond with your “yes” to Him each day. As our Holy Father says, “Every 'yes' bears fruit because it becomes part of a larger design, of which we glimpse only details, but which the divine Artist knows and carries out, making of every life a masterpiece. In this regard, St. Joseph is an outstanding example of acceptance of God's plans.” Let us ask for the intercession of St. Joseph, the protector of vocations, as we pray especially for those who serve the Church as priests or consecrated religious, that all would continue to give of themselves to the promptings of God, now and always. (source: arlington diocese.org)