Who do you aspire to be?

You might still have a photo of yourself from a common kindergarten exercise called “All About Me,” where students share details like what they wanted to be when they grew up: firefighter, police officer, teacher, or athlete. Some of you held firm on that desire. For others, it changed over the years, and you may even be surprised by what you wrote.

Jesus had a deep and abiding desire to establish a lasting relationship between God and us. Learning from Joseph, he was trained as a carpenter, working diligently to build us a place to dwell with the Lord. He was, in a real sense, a fisherman before he called his apostles to be fishers of men, always seeking to get our attention and remind us that he alone could satisfy our deepest longing. Jesus remains the Good Shepherd, caring for and protecting the flock and going after the lost. He gives meaning to our labors, reminding us that all we do for the Lord, however trivial or monotonous, is impactful. Let us keep praying for one another to hear God’s call clearly and to have the courage to follow his voice, and let us pray especially for those who are out of work or in work that is not fulfilling, as they strive to make a positive impact in the world and support themselves and their families.

None of us, though, wrote “the gate” on that kindergarten page. Yet this is precisely what Jesus offers us. He serves as the gate to the Lord’s abiding presence, opening it for his flock and offering shelter and protection from all that lies outside. As the Church of his disciples, we are called to continue his ministry, which means we, too, must go out and bring in his flock. Invite others into a life-giving relationship with Christ. Let us be grateful for the many who joined the Church this year at the Easter Vigil and encourage their continued and active participation in the faith. Use the door. Enter the Church. Spend time with Christ. This is where it begins, becoming a doorway for others, a living witness of what it means to accept a relationship with the Lord.

As we look ahead, let us also prepare to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of our Chapel of the Good Shepherd, dedicated to prayer for vocations and to deepening our commitment to adoring the Lord in the Eucharist. I encourage all parishioners to move beyond Sunday visits alone and to come for a time of prayer during the week — information on chapel hours and adoration sign-ups can be found at olphparish.org/adoration-chapel. Move from an occasional visit to visiting with Jesus often and consistently, and from consistent visits to becoming a committed adorer, asking the Lord’s gracious gaze to care for our loved ones, our parish, and our neighbors.

Please pray this week as well for our children who are eagerly awaiting their First Communion next weekend. The Lord truly is the “Bread of Life” (cf. John 6). Let us be grateful for the opportunity to be in his presence, to experience his love, to worship and adore him, and most especially to receive him into our lives. May all of us strive to be worthy vessels of the Lord, carrying him out into the world.