Good Shepherd Sunday

Good Shepherd Sunday—Fourth Sunday of Easter:

“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). With these words, Jesus establishes a high expectation and reality not only for what he has come to do—sacrifice His life for mankind so that we may have eternal life with Him—but also for all those who are entrusted with leadership over a flock. As parents, it's easy to sometimes forget that we are shepherds to our children. We have been entrusted with their little souls, and been given the responsibility to guide them in the ways of Christ, the teachings of the Church, and ultimately sacrifice our lives for them. Most of us will not have to physically sacrifice our lives so that our children may live, but as parents, we all must lay down our lives in little ways on a daily basis. We must sacrifice the things we'd rather do instead of changing diapers, washing clothes, and cleaning up toys, and instead give of ourselves so that our children can grow and become the men and women God created them to be. Our children are young for only a short while, and while our flock is within our home, we must guide them and rely upon The Good Shepherd to help us raise them. "A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep..." How can you be a Good Shepherd to the children and family God has entrusted you to lead?    

Celebrating with Food:

My family loves this Shepherd’s Pie recipe from Pillsbury. It uses ground beef instead of lamb, but you could easily use lamb if you like. I add a little bit of basil on top of the mashed-potatoes, and then I sprinkle sharp-cheddar cheese on top before baking it. I then serve our Shepherd's Pie with salad. To make the recipe slightly healthier, with less sodium, you can make homemade mashed-potatoes. I like to use Yukon Gold potatoes. I quarter them and put them in a large sauce pan with enough water to cover them. I then boil them for about twenty minutes, then mash them, adding milk, a little butter, and whatever seasonings I want. 

If you'd like to make a sweet and tasty treat to celebrate today, a friend of mine makes fun and yummy “Sheep Treats” on Good Shepherd Sunday for her Children's Liturgy lessons. All you need to make these yummy snacks are the following ingredients:

- One jumbo marshmallow 

- 4 pretzel sticks 

- 2 chocolate chips 

- 2 Tbsp of shredded coconut (optional—if you want fuzzy looking sheep)

- 2 Tbsp (or less) vanilla frosting for glue 

Directions: Place the jumbo marshmallow in the center of a plate, and then stick four pretzels in it (two on each side for legs). Using the frosting, stick two chocolate chips on the marshmallow for eyes. You can then spread more frosting on top of the marshmallow and sprinkle shredded coconut on top to make your sheep have fuzzy wool. After making your "Sheep Treat," enjoy with a glass of milk! 

Celebrating with a Craft:

Make a "Good Shepherd and Sheep Mobile" to remind you that we are all sheep in The Good Shepherd's flock, and He calls us each by name. 

Materials: 

- Good Shepherd and Sheep template 

- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils 

- Coat hanger

- Scissors 

- String 

- Hole-punch 

- Cotton balls (optional)

- Glue (if you are using cotton balls)

Directions: Print the template. Have your children color Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, and then cut him and the sheep out. Write the names of each family member on one side of the sheep, and then if you are using cotton balls, glue them on the other side as wool.  Punch a hole in the pieces and attach a string. Tie the Good Shepherd in the center of the coat hanger, and tie the sheep on either side of him. Hang your mobile somewhere your family will see it for the remainder of the Easter Season. 

(This is what the template in the link above looks like)

Additional Activity and Prayer:  

Watch, “The Sheep That No One Could Find,” by Anthony DeStefano, from EWTN’s Story Time. It’s a great story about The Good Shepherd finding the lost sheep, and perfect for today's celebration. After watching the story together, say the prayer I wrote below as a family. I hope you and your family have a truly blessed Good Shepherd Sunday! 

"The Sheep That No One Could Find" by Anthony DeStefano

My Good Shepherd Prayer 

 

Lord, I know you are my shepherd, I know that you are good and that you care,

Lead me in your ways, and bring me back when I go astray.

Keep me in your sight, Oh Lord, this is what I pray.

Carry me within your arms, help guide me in your light and truth,

Be near me always, my Good Shepherd,

Help me hear your voice and follow when you call my name. Amen.