The fourth Sunday of Easter is also called Good Shepherd Sunday. Our Gospel is taken from the 10th chapter of the Gospel of John. In the portion of the chapter that we hear proclaimed today, Jesus describes his relationship with his followers as similar to the relationship between a good shepherd and his sheep. As a good shepherd will risk and lay down his life to protect his sheep, Jesus willingly sacrifices himself for the sake of his sheep. Jesus contrasts the actions of the good shepherd with the actions of the hired shepherd who abandons the sheep in the face of danger. In the verses following Jesus' teaching, we learn that the Pharisees and the other religious leaders understand that Jesus is referring to them when he describes the hired shepherds. The concern of a good shepherd for his sheep is part of the shepherd’s job. Jesus says, however, that the actions of the good shepherd are based upon the relationship that develops between the shepherd and the sheep. This is at the heart of the difference between the good shepherd and the hired shepherd. The good shepherd knows the sheep and therefore acts out of love. For the Good Shepherd, this is never simply part of a job; this love-inaction is integral to his identity. As with so much of John’s Gospel, one hears in this passage John’s particular focus on Christology. As the sheep are known by the Good Shepherd, the Father knows Jesus and Jesus knows the Father. There is an essential unity between the Father and the Son. The freedom with which Jesus acts when he lays down his life is rooted in the unity that he shares with his Father. In this context, Jesus also refers to others with whom he shares a relationship. By this reference, John probably understands the eventual inclusion of the Gentiles in the Christian community. Our modern ears hear this as a reference to Christian unity. The work of ecumenism is to restore unity among all Christians so that we form one flock under one shepherd, as God desires.
Today’s Gospel reading follows immediately after the report of Jesus' appearance to his disciples on the road to Emmaus. This is the event being recounted by the disciples in the opening verse of today’s Gospel. Consistently in the reports of Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances, Jesus greets his disciples with the words, “Peace be with you.” This is a most appropriate greeting. The disciples have witnessed the death of someone they loved, and they now fear for their own lives as well. Peace is what they need more than anything else. Jesus often connects this greeting of peace with another gift—forgiveness. In today’s Gospel, this connection is made in the final verses. Even as they hear Jesus’ greeting of peace, the disciples are startled and terrified. They are uncertain about what to make of the figure before them and, quite understandably, they mistake Jesus for a ghost. Yet the figure before them is not a ghost; Jesus invites them to experience his resurrected body with their senses, to look and to touch. The figure before them is flesh and bone, still bearing the marks of crucifixion. Although the disciples cannot forget his suffering and death, peace begins to take root in their hearts, as their fears turn to joy and amazement. As further proof of his identity and of his resurrected body, Jesus eats with his disciples. The disciples have known Jesus best through the meals that he has shared with them. By eating with his disciples after his Resurrection, Jesus recalls all these meals, and most importantly, he recalls the Last Supper. Luke’s report of the Last Supper and the meals that Jesus shared after his Resurrection unveil for us the significance of the Eucharist. Having shared a meal with his disciples, Jesus now uncovers for them the significance of what was written about him in the Scriptures. So, too, our celebration of the Mass is an encounter with Jesus, through the Word and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. As Jesus commissions his disciples to be witnesses to what Scriptures foretold, our celebration of the Eucharist commissions us. Like the disciples, we are sent to announce the good news of Jesus’ forgiveness of sins.
Today’s reading from the Gospel of John combines two scenes: Jesus’ appearance to his disciples after his Resurrection and Jesus’ dialogue with Thomas, the disciple who doubted. Part of the mystery of Jesus’ Resurrection is that he appeared to his disciples not as a spirit, but in bodily form. We do not know, however, exactly what this form looked like. Earlier in John’s Gospel, when Mary of Magdala first encountered the risen Jesus, she did not recognise him until he spoke to her. In Luke’s Gospel, the disciples walking along the road to Emmaus did not recognise Jesus until he broke bread with them. We know from readings such as today’s that in his resurrected form, Jesus was not bound by matter; he appeared to the disciples inside a home even though the door was locked. Yet the disciples could still touch the marks of his Crucifixion. In today’s Gospel, Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun; as Jesus was sent by God, so Jesus sends his disciples. He gives his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit so that they will be able to accomplish this task. Jesus’ words to his disciples also highlight the integral connection between the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. With the grace of the Holy Spirit, we can share forgiveness and reconciliation with others. Thomas, the doubting disciple in today’s reading, represents the reality of the Church that comes after this first community of witnesses to Jesus. All but the first disciples of Jesus must believe without seeing. Like Thomas, we may doubt the news that Jesus, who was crucified and buried, appeared to his disciples. Our human nature seeks hard evidence that the Jesus who appeared to his disciples after his death is indeed the same Jesus who was crucified. Thomas is given the opportunity to be our representative in obtaining this evidence. He gives witness to us that the Jesus who was raised is the same Jesus who died. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are among those who are blessed, for we have not seen and yet believe.
Today we begin the Easter Season, our 50-day meditation on the mystery of Christ's Resurrection. Our Gospel today tells us about the disciples' discovery of the empty tomb. It concludes by telling us that they did not yet understand that Jesus had risen from the dead. Thus, the details provided are not necessarily meant to offer proof of the Resurrection. The details invite us to reflect upon a most amazing gift, that is faith in Jesus and his Resurrection. Each of the four Gospels tells us that Jesus' empty tomb was first discovered by women. This is notable because in first-century Jewish society women could not serve as legal witnesses. In the case of John's Gospel, the only woman attending the tomb is Mary of Magdala. Unlike the Synoptic accounts, John's Gospel does not describe an appearance of angels at the tomb. Instead, Mary is simply said to have observed that the stone that had sealed the tomb had been moved, and she runs to alert Simon Peter and the beloved disciple. Her statement to them is telling. She assumes that Jesus' body has been removed, perhaps stolen. She does not consider that Jesus has been raised from the dead. Simon Peter and the beloved disciple race to the tomb, presumably to verify Mary's report. The beloved disciple arrives first but does not enter the tomb until after Simon Peter. This detail paints a vivid picture, as does the detail provided about the burial cloths. Some scholars believe that the presence of the burial cloths in the tomb offers evidence to the listener that Jesus' body had not been stolen (it is understood that grave robbers would have taken the burial cloths together with the body). The Gospel passage concludes, however, that even having seen the empty tomb and the burial cloths, the disciples do not yet understand about the Resurrection. In the passage that follows, Mary of Magdala meets Jesus but mistakes him for the gardener. In the weeks ahead, the Gospel readings from our liturgy will show us how the disciples came to believe in Jesus' Resurrection through his appearances to them. Our Easter faith is based on their witness to both the empty tomb and their continuing relationship with Jesus—in his appearances and in his gift of the Holy Spirit.
THE HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR APRIL 2024
For the role of women
We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognised in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.
– Next Friday, 26 April from 7pm . Come and enjoy a sample of quality red and white wines from across the world, then guess what grapes they are and where they’re from. Find out if you’re a wine expert! Also includes a cheese board and nibbles. It promises to be a fun night! Last chance to buy your tickets this weekend, priced at £15.
This year our retreat at The Briery will take place over the weekend of 18-20 October and will again be shared with a parish from Lancashire. This was fully subscribed last year and those of us who went had a really great time. If you think you may be interested then please contact the parish office.
Connecting with parish life or with our Diocese can be more difficult when one is living with disability, housebound because of illness, or when one is a carer or parent of someone who lives with disability or special needs. Living with a disability could mean having a physical, learning or sensory disability, autism, dementia, a mental health condition, or other difficulty. Every parish is our ‘first home’ and the place where we should feel welcomed and that we belong! Please speak to your priest or email disabilityhelp@dioceseofleeds.org.uk - we can help you connect with someone in our Diocese, or in your local parish community, who may be able to help or advise you. With your permission, we can ask them to contact you directly.
Need someone to talk to? Please contact the parish office and we will put you in touch with someone from our recently formed Bereavement Team.
On Saturday 18th May, there will be a special Celebration Mass for Married Life at Leeds Cathedral at 12noon for couples and their families celebrating their 25th (Silver), 40th (Ruby), 50th (Golden), 60th (Diamond) and 70th (Platinum) wedding anniversaries this year. There will be an opportunity for couples, who wish to do so, to renew their marriage vows during the liturgy. If you are celebrating the anniversary of your wedding and you would like to take part in this celebration, please fill out the application form which is available in the Narthex
The Little Sisters of the Poor have had to take the heart breaking decision to close their Leeds Care Home after RAAC concrete was found in 95% of the roof. Over the next few months all 62 residents must be re-homed and over 90 staff face redundancy. The Sisters must meet costs upwards of £500,000 to keep everyone safe until all residents have been found new homes. More details here: https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/urgentappeal/ Please bring this story to the attention of anyone you think may be able to help financially.
Concern is not enough! More than 6 million adults live in absolute poverty in Britain. This means they are destitute and are deprived of basic human needs such as food, sanitation, health or shelter. But poverty isn’t the only sort of deprivation; chronic loneliness and isolation is a significant and growing problem. According to the Office of National Statistics, Britain has become the loneliness capital of Europe. In our parish poverty and isolation are prevalent but what can we do about it? Contact the SVP on 07526 099 523 and help us work together to help tackle these problems.
Friday 5th - Thursday 11th July From Leeds/Bradford Airport: The theme is ‘and that people should come in Procession’. Booking now open and places are filling up. Please book with Tangney Tours T: 01732 886666 or online: https://www.tangney-tours.com/tours-and-pilgrimages/diocese-leeds/ Further info is available at https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/lourdes-pilgrimage/ If you are interested in volunteering, (especially appealing for doctors, particularly GPs and nurses) please contact: lourdes.enquiries@dioceseofleeds.org.uk Dates for your diary: Sunday 14th April Meet the pilgrims, Hinsley Hall, 2-4pm. Saturday 8th June Pre-departure Mass 11:30am Leeds Cathedral.
Friday 5th - Thursday 11th July From Leeds/Bradford Airport: The theme is ‘and that people should come in Procession’. Booking now open and places are filling up. Please book with Tangney Tours T: 01732 886666 or online: https://www.tangney-tours.com/tours-and-pilgrimages/diocese-leeds/ Further info is available at https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/lourdes-pilgrimage/ If you are interested in volunteering, (especially appealing for doctors, particularly GPs and nurses) please contact: lourdes.enquiries@dioceseofleeds.org.uk Dates for your diary: Sunday 14th April Meet the pilgrims, Hinsley Hall, 2-4pm. Saturday 8th June Pre-departure Mass 11:30am Leeds Cathedral.
On Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd April , St Gemma’s Hospice will be running a new 36-hour fundraising initiative – the Precious Time appeal. The appeal invites people to donate during a 36-hour window, during which all donations will be doubled by major donors. So, if someone gives £10, we can turn it into £20. We have already received pledges from major donors of over £100,000 to use during this 36-hour period. We are also recruiting Champions to help us spread the word and hopefully match this money through contacting their community, friends and family, and fundraising in other ways such as traditional bucket collections and bake sales. For more details of how to help, please visit: https://www.st-gemma.co.uk/precious-time-appeal/
Global Healing - care for our common home, a film commissioned by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (33 minutes long).
DISCOVERING FAITH IN UNEXPECTED PLACES.
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