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Our Lady of Lourdes Parish - Davao, Cordillera Street, Central Park Subdivision, Bangkal, Davao City (2026)

29/04/2026

SAINT OF THE DAY

SAINT PIUS V

April 30: Saint Pius V, Pope—Optional Memorial
1504–1572
Patron Saint of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
Invoked for the reform and defense of the Church
Canonized by Pope Clement XI on May 22, 1712
Liturgical Color: White

Antonio Ghislieri was born in Bosco Marengo in northwest Italy. As a child, he worked to help support his family. At age fourteen, he joined the Dominicans, taking the name Michele, and received his education from the friars in Vigevano, Bologna, and Genoa. An excellent and hardworking student, he was drawn to study Sacred Scripture and Saint Thomas Aquinas’ teachings. At age twenty-four, he was ordained a priest. For sixteen years, he taught theology and philosophy, formed Dominican novices, and served various friaries as prior. Father Michele deepened his prayer life, developed a strong devotion to Mary and the Rosary, made all-night vigils, embraced the Dominican charism, fasted, did penance, embraced poverty, and refused to engage in idle talk.

At the time, the Protestant Reformation divided European kingdoms, and the Church desperately needed reform to address financial abuses, nepotism, poorly formed clergy, poorly structured governance, theological debates, and lack of uniform liturgical worship. To address errors introduced by the Protestant Reformation, Pope Paul III reorganized the Italian Inquisition in 1542. Father Michele served on several inquisitorial missions, was made a bishop, and then a cardinal. In various Italian dioceses, he vigorously defended the true faith, weeded out heresy, corrected abuses, tightened Church structures, and lived out the life of faith and morals to which he was called.

When Pope Paul IV announced to his court that he wanted to make his fourteen-year-old nephew a cardinal, Bishop Michele firmly and successfully opposed him. Many of the cardinals admired him as a result, and in 1566, Bishop Michele was elected as the new pope, taking the name Pius V.

Just prior to Pius V’s election, the Council of Trent completed its final session, launching the Catholic Counter-Reformation that addressed theological and liturgical issues and sought to eliminate Church abuses. Pope Pius V was the man to implement the council’s decrees.

Pope Pius V continued to be a man of God. He acted not like royalty, but as a servant, wearing his one white Dominican habit (which is why the pope wears white today). Money for extravagant papal banquets was distributed to the poor. He visited the sick, built hospitals, and prayed twice daily before the Blessed Sacrament. The Papal States soon became more like a monastery than a kingdom.

Pius V reformed the clergy by mandating a seminary system, reaffirming celibacy, promulgating a new catechism for parish priests, attaching the clergy to one diocese, and exhorting bishops to remain in and serve their dioceses as true shepherds. He renewed discipline within religious houses and spoke out against immoralities within the clergy. He instituted catechetical classes for youth and introduced Saint Thomas Aquinas’ teachings in the universities. He spread devotion to the Rosary and promulgated a new Breviary and Roman Missal. He chastised, and even penalized, wayward rulers and defended Europe from Muslim invaders by helping form the Holy League, a cooperative effort of Catholic kingdoms within Spain and Italy, that included the Order of Malta.

Saint Pius V, you were unwavering in your faith and courage. God used those virtues to defend and reform His Church when it was suffering greatly. Please pray that as the Church continues to be in need of renewal and the Gospel in need of proclamation, I will be a holy instrument in the hands of God. May I be courageous and faithful until the end, no matter the cost. Saint Pius V, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

Source: mycatholic.life

29/04/2026

DAILY GOSPEL REFLECTION

LOVE PERFECTED BY HUMILITY
April 30, 2026
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Readings for Today

Saint Pius V, Pope—Optional Memorial
When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.” John 13:16–17

Today’s Gospel comes from the Last Supper, just after Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. What an act of humility! By analogy, it would be as if a king knelt before his servants to polish their shoes, setting aside his glory to attend to their most basic needs. This act would teach them that true greatness lies not in power but in love and humble service. Such an act would make quite an impression on those servants, helping them understand their duty within the king’s royal court and their responsibility toward the people of the kingdom.

The Apostles might not have understood the full meaning of Jesus’ act of humility that Holy Thursday evening. As time went on, however, and the Apostles embraced their roles as spiritual leaders of the early Church, Jesus’ actions would have become the foundation of their understanding of servant leadership—one that they themselves were called to imitate as shepherds of Christ’s flock. Leadership in the Kingdom of God is not about seeking honors or recognition but about humbling oneself in selfless service to others. This includes not only leaders within the Church, but also leaders within the community and within families.

Jesus’ example becomes even more impactful when we consider the presence of Judas at this intimate moment. The Gospel goes on to reveal that Jesus acknowledged that one of those whose feet He washed would betray Him. He served Judas anyway. In this one act, Jesus not only demonstrated humility but also showed that His love knows no boundaries, extending even to those who would reject and betray Him.

In our lives, when we encounter those who betray us or sin against us in any way, we are immediately tempted to lash out. Imitating Jesus, however, requires us to humble ourselves even before the worst of sinners, rather than condemn them. Jesus did not approve of Judas’ betrayal. Instead, He identified it by quoting Psalm 41:10: “The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.” Then, to reassure the remaining disciples of His divine mission, He said: “From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM” (John 13:19).

Jesus was essentially saying that once the other eleven Apostles learned of Judas’ betrayal, they would understand that only God—I AM—is capable of humbly loving and serving those who sin against Him. As the Apostles reflected on Jesus’ act in the days and years to come, they would have recognized that such love transcends human capacity and points to the divine. Jesus’ willingness to serve Judas, knowing full well the betrayal to come, reveals that God’s love is not dependent on human strength but flows unconditionally, offering even sinners the chance for redemption. Each of us is called to participate in that same depth of love.

Reflect today on Jesus’ unconditional humility and love and His call to imitate Him. Consider the relationships in your life: Are there people from whom you have withheld love or forgiveness? Is there anyone whom you refuse to serve with humility? Ask for the grace to love as Jesus loved, to serve even those who have hurt you, and to bear witness to the divine humility of Christ, who loved without limits. Pray for the grace to take a concrete step today to reconcile with someone you struggle to love or forgive, imitating Christ’s humility and boundless love. In doing so, you not only follow His example but also become a living witness to His ongoing presence in the world.

My humble Lord, You love everyone with perfection, even serving those who have betrayed You. In doing so, You have set an example for us to follow. Please give me the grace I need to imitate You by humbling myself before others, even those who have sinned against me. Strengthen me in moments of betrayal, so that I may respond with love and humility. Jesus, I trust in You.

28/04/2026

SAINT OF THE DAY

SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA

April 29: Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church—Memorial
1347–1380
Patron Saint of Europe, Italy, nurses, the sick, and those ridiculed for their piety
Invoked against fires, miscarriages, temptations
Canonized by Pope Pius II on June 29, 1461
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI on October 4, 1970
Proclaimed Co-Patron of Europe by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 1999
Liturgical Color: White

Caterina di Jacopo di Benincasa (Catherine) was the twenty-third or twenty-fourth child born to loving parents in Siena, Italy. As a child, she stood out for her joyful disposition and deep devotion to God. Six-year-old Catherine’s vision of Jesus, sitting on a throne, crowned as King, surrounded by Saints Peter, Paul, and John, led her to vow to give her whole life to God. Catherine’s parents set aside a basement bedroom that she could use as a place of prayer. Her prayer life increased her virtues. She treated her father as Jesus, her mother as Mary, and her siblings as the Apostles.

As a teenager, Catherine firmly opposed her parents’ desire that she marry. She fasted, prayed, and cut her hair short to make herself less attractive. Eventually, her parents accepted her vocation. At age sixteen, Catherine joined the Third Order of Saint Dominic, made up of lay people who wore a religious habit but lived at home, serving the poor and sick and performing charitable works. For several years, Catherine lived in seclusion and prayer. Around age twenty-one, she entered into a “mystical marriage” with our Lord. While Catherine prayed, Jesus appeared to her, along with the Virgin Mary and King David as a harpist. Jesus placed a ring on her finger and departed. The ring remained for the rest of her life, although Catherine was the only one who could see it.

After receiving the gift of spiritual marriage, Catherine began a more active ministry to Siena’s poor, sick, and imprisoned. When the bubonic plague struck, Catherine and her companions cared for its victims. To address controversies plaguing the Church and State, Catherine wrote hundreds of letters to royalty, religious, and the pope himself. She engaged in severe penance and prayer, living daily only on the Holy Eucharist. When she learned of rebellions within the Church in 1375, she fell into ecstasy and received an invisible stigmata that appeared on her body after her death.

At that time, the papacy had moved to Avignon, France. Anti-popes were elected and confusion was widespread. Catherine wrote letters and had face-to-face conversations with Pope Gregory XI, urging him to return to Rome, which he did in 1377. The last years of Catherine’s life were spent writing letters, visiting towns that were warring against the papacy, and counseling two popes. She rallied the people, addressed abuses, and gave witness to Christ crucified through her penitential life.

Her last, and greatest, gift to the Church was her book, The Dialogue of Divine Providence. Dictated by Catherine while she was in ecstasy, it is a conversation between a soul and the Father in Heaven. In addition, 382 of her letters and twenty-six of her prayers have survived.

St. Catherine’s unquenchable desire for God is beautifully expressed in this prayer she wrote:

Eternal God, eternal Trinity, You have made the Blood of Christ so precious through His sharing in Your Divine nature. You are a mystery as deep as the sea; the more I search, the more I find, and the more I find, the more I search for You. But I can never be satisfied; what I receive will ever leave me desiring more. When You fill my soul, I have an ever greater hunger, and I grow more famished for Your light. I desire above all to see You, the true Light, as You really are. Amen. Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

Source: mycatholic life

28/04/2026

DAILY GOSPEL REFLECTION

TRULY SEEING GOD
April 29, 2026

Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Readings for Today

Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.” John 12:44–46

Do you want to see God? Our faith teaches that those who die in a state of grace will enjoy the Beatific Vision, the clearest and most intense perception of God’s essence and glory. For those still in need of purification, God’s mercy provides the gift of Purgatory, preparing them to gaze upon Him for eternity. In Heaven, all will see God face-to-face and experience perfect happiness in communion with Him and all the saints. But the promise of seeing God does not begin only in Heaven. Through faith, we begin to see Him even now. Do you see the Father?

Jesus promises, “Whoever believes in me also believes in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.” On earth, Jesus revealed the Father as “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). Though Jesus’ divinity was veiled within His humanity, faith allowed His followers to perceive the Father’s presence through Him. To look upon Jesus was truly to gaze upon God, even if God’s full glory was hidden.

Today, after Jesus’ Ascension, His presence remains with us, especially in the Eucharist. Though our senses perceive only bread and wine, faith reveals that we are gazing upon God. As Saint Thomas Aquinas proclaimed in Tantum Ergo, “Faith for all defects supplying, where the feeble senses fail.” When we approach the Eucharist with faith, we see Jesus, and through Him, we see the Father.

Beyond the Eucharist, we encounter God’s presence every time we are touched by grace, perform an act of charity, receive the Sacraments, or prayerfully read His Word. God reveals Himself in hidden form through these moments, inviting us to recognize Him with the eyes of faith.

Jesus also said, “I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.” The light is perceived in our souls through an interior illumination that assures us of God’s presence and action in our lives. Faith enables us to see His work and know for certain that He is near. Do you see this Light? Do you see the Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit?

Doubt, the opposite of faith, brings darkness into our lives. While doubt is a common human struggle, God invites us to move beyond it. Authentic faith, bestowed by God, grants certitude more profound than anything we perceive with our physical senses.

Reflect today on Jesus’ promise that when we see Him, we also see the Father. Is your spiritual vision clear? Do you perceive God’s presence daily? If not, seek Him in prayer, the sacraments, and the grace-filled moments of life. The more we form the habit of seeing God, the more attuned we will become to His presence. This habit prepares us for the glorious day when we will see Him face-to-face in Heaven, beholding Him in eternal joy and love.

My ever-present Lord, though You ascended into Heaven, You remain with us by grace. Your true presence touches me day by day. Help me to see You, and through You, to see the Father. Give me this spiritual sight so that I can walk with You in this life and enjoy You forever in the next. Jesus, I trust in You.

Source: catholic-daily-reflections

28/04/2026

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒆—𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆

𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬

On April 25, 2026, the first-ever Archdiocesan Music Ministry Convention was held at the Regional Seminary Major of Mindanao (ReMaSe), with the theme: “Gugma: tuburan sa pag-alagad”. The event focuses on the liturgical guides and norms of the music of the liturgy (Plenary Talk 1), and how music ministers should be formed to serve reverently inside and outside the church (Plenary Talk 2).

Coinciding with the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, Msgr. Paul A. Cuison highlighted at his homily at the Holy Mass that what better place to start our mission than within ourselves (ad intra); just like the apostles who were sent by Jesus—with faithfulness and love. With singing, we are preaching in beautiful melodies, with hearts reconciled with God, and of loving sacrifice (e.g. practice and service), leading the faithful to Christ.

The music ministry is very glad to witness this momentous celebration of the Archdiocese of Davao for the greater glory of God. The music ministry extends its warm gratitude to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, especially to Fr. Roger Duhaylungsod, for supporting the participants' needs during the said convention.

Photos and Caption by: Gerald Campo Gonzales

27/04/2026

Saint of the Day

SAINT LOUIS GRIGNION DE MONTFORT

April 28: Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest—Optional Memorial
1673–1716
Patron Saint of preachers
Canonized by Pope Pius XII on July 20, 1947
Liturgical Color: White

Louis Grignion was the oldest surviving sibling of eighteen children born to Jean-Baptiste and Jeanne Robert Grignion in Montfort-sur-Meu, northwest France. His Confirmation name, Marie, was fitting for one who would reveal total consecration to Jesus through Mary. Three Grignion sons became priests, and two daughters became nuns. The frequent target of his father’s fierce temper, Louis was tempted with anger as an adult. His compassion for his mother, who also suffered from her husband’s outbursts, might have led Louis to his deep devotion to the Blessed Mother.

At twelve, Louis-Marie entered a Jesuit-run free school run in nearby Rennes. He completed his elementary education, as well as courses in philosophy and theology. Louis loved the poor and sick, practiced severe penances, was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the angels, and prayed often. Listening to a local priest’s stories about his missionary work as an itinerant preacher fueled a desire in Louis’ heart for the same.

At age twenty, Louis received a scholarship to study in Paris at the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice. He completed his studies while working at the school library. There, Louis-Marie became familiar with the classics of theology, especially on Mariology. His visits to the chapel before and after class, his devotion to Mary, his penances, and his love for the poor and infirm made him stand out. After completing his studies, he was ordained a priest but not given faculties to preach or hear confessions.

Over the next six years, Father Louis worked on and off as a chaplain at a hospital for the poor. Continually meeting opposition from the worldly clergy and the social elite, he moved often and was without an assignment for a year. In 1706, he walked 1,000 miles to Rome to consult with the holy father. Pope Clement XI granted him an audience and saw through the veneer of this impoverished priest, perceiving his God-given vocation. The holy father appointed him as Apostolic Missionary and sent him back to France.

Over the next ten years, Father Louis preached missions from town to town, performed miracles, saw apparitions of Mary, lived in extreme poverty and penance, constructed Calvary grottos to foster devotion, and won countless hearts—all while enduring persecution from the local bishop and clergy. Toward the end of his life, Father Louis wrote a rule for a new community of priests and brothers. After his death, two strong communities grew that still thrive: the Daughters of Wisdom and the Company of Mary.

The Church would not discover Father Louis’ most enduring legacy for more than a century after his death. Father Louis had written several books and many hymns; in 1842, a priest of the community he founded discovered the manuscripts in an old trunk. Soon after, his writings on Mary, especially True Devotion, Secrets of Mary, and Secrets of the Rosary, became among the most widely loved and influential Marian books ever written. Six popes have honored Saint Louis de Montfort. Saint Pope John Paul II even took his papal motto from the saint’s writings: Totus Tuus, “totally yours.”

Saint Louis-Marie, you endured your father’s anger and mockery from worldly clergy as you struggled to fulfill your vocation. Throughout, you deepened your devotion to our Blessed Mother and entrusted yourself to God through her. Please pray that I may live for God alone by consecrating myself totally to Jesus through Mary. Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

Source: mycatholic.life

27/04/2026

Saint Of The Day

SAINT PETER CHANEL

April 28: Saint Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr—Optional Memorial
1803–1841
Patron Saint of Oceania
Canonized by Pope Pius XII on June 12, 1954
Liturgical Color: Red

Today’s saint, Saint Pierre Louis Marie Chanel (Peter), was the fifth of eight children. His family operated a sixty-five acre farm on Church-owned land that the state had confiscated during the French Revolution. As a youth, Peter desired to make reparation for his family.

Peter attended a small school where the priest educated boys while going about his duties of visiting the sick, celebrating Mass, doing chores, and conversing at meals. This instilled in Peter a desire to be a priest and a foreign missionary. At sixteen, Peter was sent to the diocesan minor seminary in Lyons and later to the major seminary in Brou. In 1827, he was ordained a diocesan priest.

Father Peter began his vocation as a parish priest. He spent three years at a parish in Crozet, near the Swiss border, devotedly caring for the sick, preaching with zeal, and organizing Eucharistic processions. By the time he left, he had won the people’s hearts and revived the struggling parish.

Still drawn to the missions, Peter obtained permission to enter the Society of Mary (Marists), a newly formed order whose members strove to live as Mary had—hidden, humble, and simple. Among their charisms was to be missionaries to remote and hidden lands, especially in Oceania.

After spending his first years teaching boys in the seminary and then in administration, Peter was appointed superior of a group of seven Marists who set out on a ten-month sea voyage to Oceania, present-day Australia. The group arrived at the island of Futuna on November 12, 1837. Futuna and its neighboring island were small, with 1,000 inhabitants who were farmers and fishermen. Small tribes were organized into two kingdoms that frequently warred with one another. They ritually appeased angry gods and worshiped great spirits who spoke through the chiefs and pagan priests.

The ruling King Niuliki at first welcomed the visitors warmly. The missionaries worked tirelessly at learning the local language, offered Mass openly, shared farming tips, and showed the natives kindness. A year and a half later, another ship carrying Marist missionaries arrived.

For a year, catechesis continued. When the king’s infant son became ill, Father Peter received permission to baptize him. However, as more islanders became catechumens, the king feared the loss of his power and spiritual authority. Hearing that the inhabitants of the nearby island of Wallis were preparing for baptism and learning that his own son had become a catechumen, the king ordered the killing of the catechumens and the missionaries. The next day, the king’s men clubbed Father Peter before one delivered a deadly blow to his head with a hatchet.

Many islanders mourned Father Peter’s death, and the king soon regretted his order. Mourning and regret turned into joy when, over the next few years, all of the inhabitants were baptized. War between the two tribes eventually ceased, and peace was established. Today, those islands live their Catholic faith well and rejoice in their martyr who did more for them in death than in life.

Saint Peter, God placed the desire in your heart to give yourself to His service as a missionary in far-off lands. You held nothing back, laying down your life. Your blood nourished the faith of the people you served, and God transformed them into His holy people. Please pray that I will courageously give of myself for Your glory, no matter the cost. Saint Peter Chanel, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

Source: mycatholic.life

27/04/2026

DAILY GOSPEL REFLECTION

DO WE LISTEN?
April 28, 2026
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Readings for Today

Saint Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr—Optional Memorial

Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest—Optional Memorial

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe…” John 10:22–25

How often does the Lord speak to us, yet we fail to listen? Like the Jews in today’s Gospel, we might ask, “Lord, tell me plainly Your will!” Jesus responds, “I told you, and you do not listen.” His voice is constant, but we must become attuned to it.

Jesus speaks first through Scripture, especially the Gospels. As Saint Jerome reminds us, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Through Scripture and the teaching of the Magisterium, which safeguards and interprets God’s Word, we receive clarity and direction for every age. At times, the Holy Spirit even illuminates a particular passage to guide us in a specific way.

God speaks through the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, where His grace cleanses, strengthens, and reveals His will. Prayer, too, is essential. Fidelity to daily prayer deepens our ability to hear God, fostering the silence and trust needed for intimacy with Him. Finally, God speaks through daily life—through others, the beauty of creation, and even our crosses.

Despite the abundant ways God speaks to us, distractions, fear, pride, and a lack of trust often prevent us from hearing Him. We may expect God to speak dramatically or on our terms, missing His gentle, consistent voice. But the more we quiet our hearts, immerse ourselves in His Word, and trust in His providence, the more we will hear and follow our divine Shepherd.

Jesus goes on to say, “The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me” (John 10:25). Though He was speaking to the Jews about His miracles, the authority of His sermons, and the witness of His sacred life, He says the same to us. Jesus’ works illuminate His Word and will in our lives.

If we want to be among Jesus’ sheep, we must hear His voice and follow Him. What’s most consoling about today’s Gospel is that Jesus says of His sheep: “No one can take them out of my hand” (John 10:28). If we do our part in listening and following His voice, His promise is to keep us safe, firmly united with Him. When that happens, nothing can harm us, nothing can steal away our peace, and nothing can keep us from God.

Reflect today on how well you listen and are attentive to God’s guiding voice. What distractions or fears prevent you from hearing Him? Begin by removing one barrier and committing to moments of daily silence to grow in prayerful attentiveness. Immerse yourself in the Scriptures, align yourself with the teachings of His Church, participate faithfully in the Sacraments, and foster greater fidelity to daily prayer. Trust in Jesus’ promise that as you strive to hear His voice and follow Him, He will hold you securely in His loving care. Allow His voice to guide you daily, leading you to the peace and joy only He can give.

Ever-present Lord, You call me day and night, revealing Your will and inviting me to follow You, yet distractions often drown out Your voice. Free me from all that hinders me and help me to form habits of prayer and attentiveness so that I may know You and follow You faithfully. Jesus, I trust in You.

Source: catholic-daily-reflections

26/04/2026

DAILY GOSPEL REFLECTION
THE COURAGE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
April 27, 2026
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Readings for Today
V
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 GOfor the sheep.” John 10:11–139

What is it that makes a shepherd “good?” A shepherd’s duties require great sacrifice and time. Like a mother who is always attentive to her newborn, a shepherd devotes his time and energies to the care of his flock. In biblical times, shepherds often lived in caves on the outskirts of towns, where there were plenty of green pastures, space for the sheep to roam, and water sources. The caves provided a place of safety at night and shelter from the elements. During the day, the shepherd watched over the flock in an almost fatherly way, knowing that if he were to neglect his duties and become inattentive, a sheep could wander off or fall victim to a pack of wolves.

Jesus expands this familiar image to convey an even greater reality of divine love and sacrifice. In today’s Gospel, Jesus takes this image of a shepherd to a whole new level. He says: “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Though this might not have been part of the normal job description of a shepherd, perhaps those who were listening would have made a connection. Some might have understood what Jesus taught in a figurative way, calling to mind the time and commitment shepherds make. And though there is a figurative lesson to be learned, Jesus’ teaching was more than that.

Jesus first identified Himself as the Good Shepherd. He then defines what that means: He will lay down His life for His sheep. Though His listeners likely missed His meaning, Saint John, while writing his Gospel, fully understood Jesus’ words to be not only figurative but also literal—Jesus would die on the Cross for the sins of His sheep.

The metaphor continues with Jesus contrasting a hired worker with a true shepherd of his own sheep. In the face of danger, a hired worker flees for his own safety, while the shepherd stands and fights for his sheep, even to death. This clearly depicts what Jesus has done for us, but it also reveals our duty toward all of God’s people, His flock.

As members of Christ’s Body, the Church, we are called to share in His shepherding mission. Our vocations will especially dictate to us ways in which we are called to do so. Parents, for example, must be so devoted to their children that they value their children’s lives more than their own. Priests and religious are called to be shepherds who guide and protect their flocks spiritually. Each of us, however, must participate in Christ’s shepherding mission in the ways we are called. While the way this is lived will vary, the degree to which it is lived must not. We are all called to lead lives that are sacrificial, selfless, and wholly self-giving. Courageously and completely, we must lay our lives down for others, imitating the Good Shepherd’s commitment to His flock.

In communion with the Good Shepherd, we are invited to show this courage in daily acts of charity, fidelity to our commitments, and steadfast love for those entrusted to our care. Through this radical love, we reveal Christ’s presence to the world and share in His mission to gather all into one fold under the divine Shepherd. As we continue to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection, we remember that this joy was won through the courageous love of our Good Shepherd.

Reflect today on Jesus’ perfect fulfillment of His mission to be the Good Shepherd. As you ponder His courage, sacrifice, and selfless love, know that He not only acts as the Good Shepherd to you, but He also invites you to share in His shepherding. How courageous are you when given the opportunity to be selfless for the good of another? How willing are you to seek the others’ salvation, even at great cost to yourself? Charity is at the heart of Jesus’ mission, and that same charity must permeate everything we do as we relate to those whom we are called to love. Honor and thank the Good Shepherd by participating in His mission and laying down your life for God’s flock.

My Good Shepherd, You have laid down Your life for us, Your sheep, dying a painful death on the Cross. Your courage and sacrifice save us from sin and the evil one, opening the path to eternal life. I accept Your selfless sacrifice in my life and commit to share in that sacrifice by laying my life down for others, so that they will come to know You and share in eternal life. Jesus, I trust you.

Source: catholic-daily-reflections

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish - Davao

29/04/2026

29/04/2026

28/04/2026

28/04/2026

28/04/2026

27/04/2026

27/04/2026

27/04/2026

26/04/2026

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Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm
Saturday	8am - 4:30pm
Sunday	8am - 4:30pm