Following Jesus is not easy, especially in today’s world, where there is a frontal opposition to Christian faith and life. However, with God’s grace and love in us, we can do many good things. If we get lost, Jesus will look for us, find us, and heal us.
On the 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, three jubilarians – Bishop Emeritus Jose Lai, Fr Joao Lau and Fr Fausto Gomez – share the course of their own vocation to the priesthood and advise young people as to how they must prepare to answer the call and train oneself to faithfully follow the voice of God.
The Catholic Church worldwide will celebrate next Sunday as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. In Macau, the annual celebration will be commemorated with a solemn Mass at Saint Lazarus’ Church and with a tribute to a dozen jubilarian priests and nuns.
Although we must have faith in being safe in the hands of the Good Shepherd, we must not become complacent. Discernment is imperative in spiritual battle, where the enemy lies in wait for the slightest hint of weakness.
Good Shepherd Sunday reminds us that we, as Catholics, must strive to take on the mantle of our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, in every aspect of our lives and relationships and reflect the nurturing love of God.