Feast of Saint Paschal Baylon

Good morning. In the Gospel for today Jesus notes that there are those who linger about for various reasons and there are those who truly believe and hear the message which He offers to all of us. In my travels I have met many folks, many claiming to have a strong belief in the Gospel, yet their lifestyle sometimes raises questions as to how committed they are to listening and following the Truth. Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” The image of the shepherd is certainly a powerful one because much as it was in Jesus’ days there are predators everywhere. There are those who very much want to lead our little lambs astray, some even while claiming to have our children’s best interest at heart. There are electronic games that glamorize violence, music which sends confusing messages regarding relationships, and lyrics which ridicule religion and demean authority. There is media and even public educational programming that attempts to normalize disordered human behavior, and one cannot hardly watch the evening news without advertisers inquiring about ‘E.D.’ If the numbers put together by the TV rating folks at Nielson can be believed, by the time any of us reach age 75 we will have taken in nearly 15% of our life time watching television. Yet, for the same time period we will have spent less than half of a year in church. Yes, the image of the shepherd is a good one, because being a good shepherd requires considerable attentiveness and scrutiny. This is why as parents we need to be present for our children; we need to be present in order to scrutinize the electronic games our children are watching, and to be attentive to what and where our children are surfing on the internet and the airwaves. Yet amazingly children are increasingly given free reign with their television viewing and their access to the internet, and children who have increased access to computers and television likewise increase their viewing. It is only in being good shepherds of our little lambs that they will be able to listen to and to follow the teachings of the Gospel. Where are we leading our little lambs and who is tending the flock? Make a great day!

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and works of Saint Paschal Baylon.