Brothers and Sisters,

Who is the risen Lord Jesus? Through his teachings, Jesus helps us understand who he is and his mission. One of the best analogies he uses is that of a Good Shepherd. This relatable image is quite clear even for those of us who have never met a sheep or a shepherd. Jesus protects and cares for us not because he is paid or receives a benefit but because of his genuine love that willingly leads him to accept his passion and death. As disciples, we must internalize this truth in our own personal encounters with the Lord.

Still, “Who is Jesus?” is not the only inquiry a Christian disciple should consider. There is a second of equal importance: “Who am I in relation to Jesus?” As Christians, we participate in the life of Jesus through our baptism and receiving the Eucharist, when we are also called to be a part of his ministry. However, it’s important to understand that we cannot assume this role with a personal gain or reward mindset. If we do, we may abandon it as soon as the cost seems too high. Instead, we should ask the Lord to increase our humility, a virtue that is not easy to cultivate but one that is essential in acknowledging the good that is done through us and giving all the praise and glory to God. After all, the Lord deserves all our praise!

I urge you to pray for the “Seek the City” process (https://www.archbalt.org/seek-the-city-proposal/). If you are not aware of it, you can check out the current proposal on the Archdiocese website or read the articles from the Catholic Review (https://catholicreview.org/list-of-proposed-parishes-with-mergers-in-archdiocese-of-baltimore/). Although most of us are not directly involved, we should not detach ourselves from this process. As the discernment phase comes to a close this Spring, my heart goes out to all those affected. From one perspective, many people will be displaced as parishes merge and closures occur. But I also hope that all the effort put into this process, through prayer, meetings, discernment, and sharing, will lead to a renewal. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide Archbishop Lori, our bishops and pastors, our ministry leaders, and all the faithful. This process is an opportunity to strengthen parish communities that strive to accompany one another in worship, formation, and ministry. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who are directly impacted as we likewise strive to revitalize and strengthen our parish in worship, formation, and ministry.

I hope each of us has a blessed week ahead as we make time to encounter our Savior.