Chaplain’s Column
Most people have heard Psalm 23. It is probably the best known and most beloved of the Psalms in the Bible.
“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me; you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name. Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage (Ps 23:1-4).”
The fourth Sunday of Easter every year is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. In 313 A.D. the Emperor Constantine issued a decree known as the “Edict of Milan,” legalizing Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.
Before the year 313 A.D., Roman law didn’t allow Christians to be buried inside the walls of Rome.
Numerous early Christians and martyrs were buried outside Rome in underground cemeteries known as the catacombs. Many of these catacombs are filled with beautiful art and symbols.
One of the most common images on the catacomb walls is a drawing of Jesus carrying a sheep across his shoulders, a portrait of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
The description of the Good Shepherd is one of the oldest and most comforting for us. The fourth Sunday of Easter reminds us that Jesus is our support during our journey through life.
When difficulties or problems arise, this portrait of Jesus fortifies us, assuring us that we are never alone as Jesus is always with us, guiding and leading us. He searches for us when we are lost and even carries when necessary.
Just as the shepherd is very close to the sheep and knows each one by name so also the sheep know their shepherd very well and follow only the voice of their shepherd.
The sheep know that their shepherd will care for them and protect them. The difficulties come when the sheep can’t hear the shepherd’s voice, and that is when the story of the lost sheep begins.
It can be so easy to stray and get lost today when there are so many voices calling out to us and competing for our attention. The good news is that Jesus never abandons us and never stops calling us to follow him.
One of the ways we can better hear God speak to us and follow him is to set aside some quiet time every day to listen to and speak with him.
Jesus tells us, “My sheep hear my voice I know them and they follow me (Jn: 10:27).”
He knows each of us intimately by name. He knows everything about us and looks for us when we are lost.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for us so that we could share in his life.
He has created us with longings that will settle for nothing less than everything, as we are made for God.
“They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Rev 7: 16-17).”
WORSHIP SERVICES ABOARD NASCC: Protestant Worship Service
Base Protestant Chapel Sunday Service: 10 a.m.
Catholic Worship Service
Catholic Chapel
Daily Mass Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 11:30 a.m. Sunday Mass: 9 a.m.