Daily Scripture, May 11, 2025
Good Shepherd Sunday
Scripture:
Acts 13:14, 43-52
Revelation 7:9, 14b-17
John 10:27-30
Reflection:
“Habemus papam!” The Cardinal Deacon proclaimed to the world on May 8, 2025.
About an hour later, the new pope, Leo XIV, stepped out onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, looking out to the throng gathered at St. Peter’s Square. The first American pope.
On this day, Good Shepherd Sunday, perhaps it might be just as appropriate to declare: “Habemus pastorem,” We have a shepherd. On this day, we hear Jesus share the beautiful parable of the Good Shepherd with its many consoling truths and promise for all God’s children.
“I am the good shepherd,” Jesus said. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Pope Francis reflected on this passage with these words: “Being a shepherd is not merely a job, but a true and proper way of life, 24 hours a day. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, does not just do something for us, but he gives his life for us.
From his balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV saw not only the cheering crowd gathered below, he also saw an ancient imposing monument in the middle of the square — the Obelisk. This Obelisk originally stood in Nero’s Circus. Many Christians were executed in this circus. Christian tradition holds that the Obelisk was the last thing Peter saw before he died crucified upside down.
At every age of the Church, the figure of the pope stands as the spiritual father, a visible source of unity, and the shepherd appointed by Christ to guide his flock. The Obelisk stands before the pope as a mute reminder that like Peter, he too must lay down his life for the flock.
In our time, Pope Leo XIV, the vicar of Christ and successor to Peter, is our Good Shepherd.
Habemus pastorem.
Deacon Manuel Valencia is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.
Scripture:Isaiah 50:4-9aMatthew 26:14-25Reflection:“I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” /v.24b -Mark 1:21-28 Happy Wednesday of Holy Week!In the Gospel today, Jesus tells his disciples, “Amen, I » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Isaiah 49:1-6John 13:21-33, 36-38Reflection:Second Isaiah, that is, chapters 42 to 53, focuses on the end of the Babylonian Exile for the Israelites. Indeed, Isaiah is announcing a message of hope, » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-7John 12:1-11Reflection: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit; . . .” Isaiah 42:1-2Holy » Continue Reading.
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s PassionScripture:Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16Isaiah 50:4-7Philippians 2:6-11Mark 14:1-15:47 or 15:1-39Reflection:Today begins the first day of the holiest week of the church year for many Christians » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Ezekiel 37:21-28John 11:45-56Reflection:I’m not a theologian, just a human, so I will share with you what this reading brings to mind for me.From this particular day that the gospel is » Continue Reading.
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the LordScripture:Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10Hebrews 10:4-10Luke 1:26-38Reflection:When I picture the Annunciation, I often imagine the scene through Mary’s eyes—a young woman, betrothed, soon to leave all » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95John 8:31-42Reflection:If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Daniel 13:1-60John 8:1-11Reflection:In ages past (the mid-1960s specifically), a group of fourteen-year-old boys knelt in chapel for the first time as the Freshman Class of Passionist Seminary. The late afternoon » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Jeremiah 31:31-34Hebrews 5:7-9John 12:20-33Reflection:Amen, Amen I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Jeremiah 11:18-20John 7:40-53Reflection:Jeremiah, Nicodemus, you and I share a common path to discipleship.First, we have a powerful encounter with God. It is personal, often intense, sometimes gradual, but always life-changing.Second, » Continue Reading.