Good Shepherd and Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Diane Winkowski • April 21, 2024

Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” This name is determined by the gospel passage about the Good Shepherd, which we always read on this Sunday. Today we read the gospel of John. We learn the Good Shepherd loves his sheep and he knows them by name. The author of the gospel makes an important point, the Good Shepherd has a close relationship with his sheep and, contrary to a hired man, he does not run away but stays with his sheep during danger and time of trial. Additionally, the Good Shepherd searches for the lost sheep, finds it and brings it back to his fold.

The first Christians knew and believed in Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In fact, the painting of the Good Shepherd is the most common of the symbolic representations of Christ found in early Christian art in the Catacombs of Rome, and was probably the most original image of Jesus Christ for the first Christian community (The painting of Christ as the Good Shepherd can be seen in the Catacombs of Priscilla on the Via Salaria in Rome).

Fr. Leo John Dehon, the founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart loved the image of the Good Shepherd as it is presented in the Gospel. When he visited the Catacombs in Rome, Fr. Dehon realized the image of the Good Shepherded represents well the truth of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since then, Fr. Dehon often spoke and presented the Sacred Heart as the Good Shepherd in his homilies and writings.

Thus, Fr. Dehon beautifully described the Sacred Heart as Father, Mother, and Shepherd in his book, The Priestly Heart of Jesus, “The Heart of Jesus is overflowing with compassion for all those who suffer; those beset by troubles, difficulties, and hardships; for the hungry, the toilers, the destitute, and the sick and infirm. His is the heart of a Father, the heart of a Mother, the heart of a Shepherd” (The Priestly Heart of Jesus, Thirty-Three Meditations, Chicago, 1947, p. 97).

Today many SCJs repeat these words of Fr. Dehon at the beginning of Mass, during the penitential rite, when they encourage people to recall the love of God in their lives, because “his is the heart of a Father, his is the heart of a Mother, his is the heart of a Shepherd.”

The Good Shepherd with a sheep on his shoulders, stands for Fr. Dehon as an icon of God, who is loving, kind, and merciful. God makes an incredible effort to reach everyone but especially those who are lost, unheard, and least among us. God sent his Son to save his people (Jn 3:16). It is God, in the person of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who loves his sheep and is ready to leave the ninety-nine to find the lost one (Lk 15:3-7). “Move out of the sacristy and go to the people” became an essential part of Fr. Dehon’s spirituality and ministry.

According to his biographers, Fr. Dehon did not only write and speak about God in the image of the Good Shepherd, but in his own life he also followed the idea and example described in the Gospel. Fr. Dehon loved the people with whom he worked and ministered to. He tried to reach everyone in his community, local Church and in the missions. He practiced the availability and kindness of a Good Shepherd during his ministry, and when he was at home with his community. He was able to listen and understand them. Because of his pleasant and warm personality, Fr. Dehon was known as “Le Très Bon Père” [the very good father] (Andre Perroux, Leo Dehon: Passion for Christ: A Passion for the World, Hales corners, WI, p.71).

We are encouraged by today’s gospel and the example of Fr. Dehon to see God as the Good Shepherd. God searches for our close relationship and takes care of us during trial and danger. We are encouraged to trust in God because we are safe in his fold. At the same time, we must spread and continue the mission of the Good Shepherd in our community and society. In our most recent Vision and Mission statement as St. Martin of Tours parish, “we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ to serve those in need and to become the Good Shepherds for them.” Let’s remember to become the Good Shepherds to those in need and to each other in our parish and larger community during this Easter season.

Fr. Andrzej

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Come to Jesus and Be Satisfied

By Jennifer Moscatello • July 23, 2026

In today's Gospel, we hear the beautiful story of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. A large crowd follows Jesus into a deserted place. They come with many needs – seeking healing, hope, and the comfort of His presence. Jesus welcomes them with compassion. He teaches them, heals the sick, and then performs a remarkable miracle. With only five loaves and two fish, He feeds more than five thousand people. Everyone eats as much as they want, and all are satisfied. Even more amazingly, twelve baskets of leftovers are collected. This Gospel reminds us of what happens every time we gather for Holy Mass. Like the people in today's Gospel, we come to Jesus carrying the joys, worries, and burdens of our daily lives. We listen to His Word, which encourages and strengthens us. Then Jesus feeds us with the greatest gift of all – His own Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. Just as He fed the hungry crowd, He continues to nourish His people with the Bread of Life. Jesus always gives generously. He never measures His love or limits His grace. There is enough for everyone. If we come to Him with open hearts, He will fill us with the strength, peace, and hope we need. The miracle of the loaves and fish is not only a story from long ago. In a real and beautiful way, it continues every time the Holy Mass is celebrated. Jesus is present. He speaks to us, feeds us, and sends us forth renewed. We are especially blessed at St. Martin of Tours Parish to have the opportunity to celebrate daily Mass and to spend time with Jesus during our weekly Eucharistic Adoration. Many parishioners faithfully take advantage of these opportunities, discovering again and again the peace and joy that come from being close to the Lord. Let us never take the gift of the Eucharist for granted. May we come to Mass with grateful hearts, expecting to meet Jesus, to hear His voice, and to receive the Bread of Life. He alone can satisfy the deepest hunger of our hearts. Fr. Andrzej

"Thy Kingdom Come"

By Jennifer Moscatello • July 16, 2026

A young fish once had an argument with an older, wiser fish. "This is not the ocean," the young fish insisted. "This is only the sea. I want to find the ocean." The older fish smiled and replied, "But this is the ocean." The young fish could not believe it. She spent her entire life searching for the ocean, never realizing that she had been swimming in it all along. Sometimes we are like that young fish. In today’s Gospel (Matthew 13:24-43), Jesus tells several parables about the Kingdom of God. Yet we often struggle to believe that God’s Kingdom is already here. We see evil, wars, injustice, suffering, and sin, and we wonder, “How can this be God’s Kingdom?” We may think our only task is to survive this world until we reach heaven. But that is not what Jesus teaches. He tells His disciples, “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand” elsewhere in the gospel (Matthew 10:7). The Kingdom is not only a future promise – it is already among us. It is present wherever God is welcomed, love overcomes hatred, forgiveness replaces revenge, and hope is shared with those who have lost it. Jesus also calls us to help His Kingdom grow. Like the mustard seed and the yeast in today’s Gospel, even small acts of faith, kindness, and mercy can change lives and make God’s presence visible. This week we celebrate the feast of St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers. Tradition tells us that by carrying a child across a river, Christopher discovered he was carrying Christ Himself. By serving another person, he served Jesus. After every Mass this weekend, we will bless vehicles. As we ask God for safe travels, let us also ask Him to make us faithful witnesses wherever the road leads us. Every journey is an opportunity to bring Christ’s love, peace, and hope to those we meet. May we never spend our lives searching for God’s Kingdom as if it were far away. Jesus reminds us that His Kingdom is already at hand. Let us recognize it, live it, and help it grow every day. Fr. Andrzej P.S. The example of the two fish is adapted from stories by David Foster Wallace.

The Generous Sower

By Jennifer Moscatello • July 9, 2026

At first, today's Gospel sounds like a story about farming. Many of us enjoy gardening, and some of our parish families have spent generations working the land. It is natural to picture a farmer scattering seeds across a field. But Jesus is not teaching us about agriculture. He is teaching us about God. The sower is God Himself. The seed is His Word and His grace. The soil is our heart. The first thing Jesus wants us to notice is not the soil but the sower. He is amazingly generous. He scatters seed everywhere without measuring, without counting, and without asking whether the ground deserves it. Some seed falls on good soil, but some falls on rocky ground, among thorns, and even on the path. From a farmer's point of view, this may seem wasteful. From God's point of view, it is love. This is how God loves us. He never stops reaching out to us. He never says, "This person is not worth it." His grace is offered to everyone – the faithful and the struggling, the saint and the sinner, the young and the old, the rich and the poor. No one is outside His love. No one is forgotten. Then Jesus gently turns our attention to ourselves. What kind of soil is my heart today? Am I open to God's Word? Do I allow His grace to take root, grow, and bear fruit in my daily life? God gives the same seed to each of us. The difference is not in the seed but in how we receive it. The prophet Isaiah in the first reading today gives us a beautiful promise: God's Word never returns empty. Like the rain that waters the earth, His Word always brings life. God is always working quietly and faithfully, even when we cannot see it. The message of today’s liturgy is full of hope. Every new day God continues to sow His grace into our lives. Every new day gives us another chance to become good soil. Let us thank God for His generous love. Let us open our hearts to His Word. And let us trust that, with His grace, our lives can bear fruit far beyond what we could ever imagine. Fr. Andrzej

God Works through Humble Hearts

By Jennifer Moscatello • June 26, 2026

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus thanks His Father because He has revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom to "the little ones." Then He invites us with these beautiful words: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Who are these "little ones"? Jesus is not speaking about people who are uneducated, poor, or weak. He is speaking about people with humble hearts. They know they need God. They know they are not perfect and that they cannot do everything on their own. They recognize that every blessing, every talent, and every good thing they have is a gift from God. They trust Him more than they trust themselves. The world often admires people who are successful, powerful, and independent. Humble people are sometimes overlooked. But in God's eyes, they are precious. They are open to His grace and ready to follow His will. That is why they are the first to recognize Jesus and welcome His Kingdom. The first reading gives us the same message. The prophet Zechariah speaks about a king who comes riding on a donkey, not on a war horse. He is gentle, humble, and brings peace. This king is Jesus. He does not come to impress people or to show His power. He comes to serve, to save, and to lead us to His Father. This is also an important lesson for us. Whether we serve in our families, our parish, or our community, it is not about us. It is not our talents, our ideas, or our achievements that change hearts. It is God who does His work. We simply prepare the way for Him. We plant the seeds, and He gives the growth. God has always done great things through ordinary people with humble hearts. He is still looking for people who are willing to say "yes" to Him. May we become those "little ones" whom Jesus loves: humble enough to trust Him, open enough to receive His grace, and willing to help others come closer to Him. Then, even through our ordinary lives, God will do extraordinary things. Fr. Andrzej

Trusting God Through the Darkness

By Jennifer Moscatello • June 18, 2026

(Jeremiah 20:10-13; Matthew 10:26-33) In the Bible, darkness or night often symbolizes spiritual desolation – a time when we feel distant from God or struggle to sense His presence in our lives. Most of us experience such moments sooner or later. They can be times of doubt, discouragement, sadness, or uncertainty. While these experiences are difficult, they are often part of our spiritual journey and growth. In today’s first reading, the prophet Jeremiah shares his own struggle. He feels afraid, overwhelmed, and alone. Yet he does not give up. Instead, he turns to God and places his trust in Him. Even in the midst of his suffering, Jeremiah believes that God is with him and will give him the strength to persevere. Jesus speaks about these difficult moments in today’s Gospel as well. Knowing that His disciples will face challenges and trials, He encourages them with a simple but powerful message: “Do not be afraid.” Even when God seems far away, He is still close to us. Even when we cannot feel His presence, He continues to watch over us with love and care. Jesus reminds us that we are precious in God’s eyes: “Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” I have experienced times of spiritual desolation in my own religious and priestly life. Looking back, I can see that those moments became opportunities for growth. They taught me humility, patience, and a deeper trust in God. During difficult times, it is important not to lose hope or make important decisions based on fear, anger, or discouragement. Instead, we are called to remain faithful in prayer and trust that God is leading us, even when the path ahead is unclear. One simple truth is worth remembering: after every night comes a new day. No matter how long or dark the night may seem, the dawn eventually arrives. In the same way, God’s light and grace will break through the darkness of our struggles. Holding on to this hope can help us persevere when life is difficult. Today’s readings remind us that we are never alone. God walks with us through every trial and every dark moment. He does not abandon us. He knows us, loves us, and remains faithful to us even when our faith feels weak. Today, we also celebrate Father’s Day. We thank God for our fathers and for all those who have been fatherly figures in our lives. We are grateful for their love, support, guidance, and sacrifices, especially during the times when we needed them most. May God bless them abundantly and fill them with His peace, joy, and strength. Happy Father’s Day! Fr. Andrzej

Compassion That Leads to Mission

By Jennifer Moscatello • June 11, 2026

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus looks at the crowds and sees people who are struggling, searching, and in need. St. Matthew tells us that His heart was moved with compassion for them. Jesus does not ignore their needs or pass them by. He notices them, loves them, and responds to them. This is an important reminder for us. God sees each one of us personally. He knows our joys, our worries, and our struggles. He cares deeply about His people and calls us to share that same compassion with others. After seeing the needs of the crowd, Jesus calls His disciples and sends them out to continue His mission. It is beautiful that the Gospel mentions each disciple by name. Jesus does not call a group of strangers. He calls each person personally. The same is true today. Each of us is known, loved, and chosen by God. Each of us has a mission to fulfill. This mission is not only for priests, deacons, religious, or professional ministers. Through our Baptism, all of us are called to be disciples and witnesses of Christ. We serve in different ways – in our families, workplaces, schools, parish ministries, and daily encounters with others. Each of us has gifts, talents, and life experiences that can help those who are struggling or in need. Often, we do not need to make extraordinary efforts. Sometimes simply giving our time, listening, visiting, or being present for someone can make a profound difference. Wherever we bring kindness, hope, encouragement, and faith, we continue the mission of Jesus. Today’s Gospel is also about relationships. Jesus cares for the crowd. Jesus calls his disciples personally. The disciples learn from Jesus and remain close to Him. Their ministry flows from their relationship with the Lord. As we serve others, we grow in love, strengthen our bonds with one another, and build up our parish community. The closer we are to Jesus through prayer, the Eucharist, and daily faithfulness, the more fruitfully we can serve others. The harvest is still abundant in our parish and in our community. There are many people who need a helping hand, a listening ear, and the love of Christ. Let us be aware of our call and our mission. Let us stay close to Jesus and close to the people we serve. And let us do so with gratitude and joy, knowing that when we give ourselves generously to others, we often receive far more in return. Like the first disciples, we too have been personally chosen and sent by the Lord. May we answer His call with willing and generous hearts. Fr. Andrzej