“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
My most boring job was working at an insurance company as a college student. My main task? Filing. Now imagine if I had told my supervisor, “I just want you to know, I’m willing to die for these files.” She would have called a psychiatrist — or at least security.
There is something absurd in Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel: “I am the good shepherd… I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) It sounds noble, until you think about it. No one dies for sheep. Not a hired hand. Not even a good shepherd. Sheep are important, sure, but not worth a human life.
And yet, Jesus insists: I will die for them. The crowd understandably responds: “He is out of his mind.”
C.S. Lewis once said that Jesus does not leave us the option of calling him merely a good teacher. If someone speaks like him, he is either lying, crazy, or telling the truth. John’s Gospel won’t let us stay sentimental. Jesus means it. He reveals a love that surpasses logic — a love that measures worth not by strength or success, but by the willingness to suffer unto death.
The Good Shepherd’s madness is mercy. His cross makes no earthly sense and yet it makes divine sense. He lays down his life not for kings or saints but for sheep — for the ordinary, the unworthy, for you and me.
Think of someone who may feel unworthy of love. Do something simple and generous for them, not because they deserve it, but because Jesus did the same for you.
— Father John Muir
©LPi
General Mass Notes
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,
As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.
(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)
Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…
Please stand and greet those beside you.
Mass Intentions
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. For our Holy Father, Pope Leo, and all the bishops, that they may shepherd the Church with wisdom and mercy as we all strive to hear and respond to the call of the Good Shepherd, let us pray to the Lord.
B. That our country’s leaders may follow the example of the Good Shepherd in protecting those entrusted to their care and leading us all to a better future, let us pray to the Lord.
C. For protection from the violent storms of the season and for all those who risk their well-being to aid in rescue and recovery efforts, let us pray to the Lord.
D. For those walking through the dark valleys of addiction and for their families, that they may find the courage to place their trust in the Lord, let us pray to the Lord.
E. For those discerning their vocation: that the Holy Spirit may guide them in prayer, give them clarity in their calling, and the grace to follow wherever the Lord leads, we pray to the Lord.
F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
Today, our Men's ministry is having a food sale in the Madonna Plaza. We thank you for supporting them.
The Amor Por Teco foundation will be selling new clothes on Sunday, May 3 in the Guadalupe Hall from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
Next weekend, the Parish will be blessed to have the Relics of 36 Mexican martyrs displayed at all of our weekend liturgies. This is a unique moment for prayer, veneration, and encounter with the history of our Church.
