CHRIST, THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

"The Lord ruleth me, and I shall want nothing; He hath set me in a place of pasture." (Ps. 22:1)

I.

In the Gospel of this day, Christ says of Himself: "I am the Good Shepherd." (John 10:11) Ponder how well He merits this title. Jacob was a good shepherd, and he says of himself: "Day and night was I parched with heat and with frost, and sleep departed from my eyes." (Gen. 31:40) But Christ was still a better Pastor, for after suffering these heats and colds. He finally laid down His life for His sheep. He even descended to their level and below them, for He verified the oracle of Isaiah: He shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter." (Isa. 53:7) But what shepherd ever fed His sheep with His own blood? In order to elevate them to a supernatural state of happiness, Christ has done so. He gave them His flesh for food and His blood for drink. Who would not wish to be guided by such a Shepherd?

II.

This Divine Shepherd will visit you today, to feed you, and to defend you from the wolves of hell. There is no part of a shepherd's duty which He does not perform most willingly. Hence He says by His Prophet: "Behold, I Myself will seek My sheep: and will visit them as the shepherd visits his flock: I will feed them in the most fruitful pastures; I will seek that which was lost, and that which was driven away I will bring again: and I will bind up that which was broken; and I will strengthen that which is weak, and that which is fat and strong I will preserve, and I will feed them in judgment." (Ezech. 34:11) Such is the Shepherd who invites you to receive Him.

III.

It is your duty to take care that there be nothing in your soul which may offend this pure and all-seeing Shepherd. Purify yourself, therefore, from all sin, and divest yourself of all affections to sin. Besides, He says: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27) Listen then to Him, and obey Him, in order that you may ever remain in His fold.

CHRIST APPEARS TO SEVEN DISCIPLES. I.

I.

"There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, and Nathanael." (John 21:2) Peter invites them to fish, and they all show a readiness to accompany him: "We also come with thee." This is an emblem of that union which ought to exist among evangelical laborers, whom Christ pronounces to be "fishers of men." The Disciples employ themselves in this occupation, both to relieve their poverty and want, and to prevent idleness. Imitate their example; and know that every descendant of Adam is destined some way or other "to eat his bread by the sweat of his brow;" and that idleness is the root of every evil.

II.

"They labored all night and caught nothing." Thus human industry is ever vain, unless blessed with the divine concurrence. "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." (Ps. 126:1) This is chiefly the case in regard to the conversion of souls, for in these affairs no man ought to place confidence in his own abilities or exertions, but he ought to ground all his hopes of success on the assistance of heaven. "Neither he that planteth is anything, nor he that watereth, but God who giveth the increase." (1 Cor. 3:7) During the night of sin, no action, meritorious of eternal life, can be performed; thus, every action, however virtuous otherwise, unless done in a state of grace, is lost. Detest sin, then, above every other evil.

III.

"But when the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore, yet the Disciples knew not that it was Jesus." (John 21:4) Thus Christ is frequently at hand to relieve our necessities, when we think the least of it. He asks them if they have any food, although He knew that they had none, because He wishes us to acknowledge our wants before He relieves them. He then commands them: "Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast, therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes." Learn hence how valuable is the virtue of obedience to the will of God. "An obedient man shall speak of victory." (Prov. 21:28)

CHRIST APPEARS TO SEVEN DISCIPLES. II.

I.

St. John, knowing from the miraculous draught of fishes that the person must be Christ, without hesitation pronounced: "It is the Lord." (John 21:7) Peter immediately cast himself into the sea, in order to approach his Master. In St. John is figured the contemplative life, which is quick-sighted in discovering our Lord, and immediately points Him out to others. St. Peter represents the fervor of active life, which is always ardent and forward in works of piety and zeal. Apply yourself to both states in proper proportion, in order that by contemplation you may discover the will of God, and reduce it to practice in the state of active life.

II.

"As soon as they came to land they saw hot coals lying, and a fish laid thereon, and bread." He Himself invites them to eat, to show His goodness and paternal providence to mankind in general, and to His Apostles and their Successors in particular. He will not suffer those who are employed in His service to endure want, if they place their confidence in Him, and "seek first the kingdom of God and His justice." (Luke 12:31) He invites all to partake of His munificence: "Come to Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you." (Matt. 11:28) Accept of His invitation, and "cast thy care upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee." (Ps. 54:23)

III.

Those whose duty it is to exercise the office of "fishers of men" ought to follow the injunction of their Master, Jesus Christ, and cast their net on the "right side." In nothing whatsoever are purity of motive and right intention more necessary than in the works of the ministry. "The Apostles," writes St. Bernard, "spread their nets to catch fish, and not gold and silver." It is the duty of every Christian, as well as of the ministers of the Gospel, to aim at the salvation of their neighbors' souls. "God has given charge to every one of his brother." In his proper sphere and department of life, every one ought to be an Apostle. Examine how you perform this duty, and whether you be actuated by right intentions and purity of motives.

CHRIST COMMITS HIS SHEEP TO PETER.

I.

Christ had destined Peter to be His Vicar on earth, because He Himself was going to the Father, and because His flock could not be left without some visible shepherd. Before He gave him this appointment, He thrice asked him, "Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me?" (John 21:15), to show us how well grounded they ought to be in the love of God who undertake the care of souls. Pastors, parents, and masters ought, then, to be forcibly actuated by this divine principle, for they have all, in their different departments, the care of souls. Examine yourself, and discover whether you have a sufficient stock of this sterling and necessary virtue to discharge the duties of your calling, as they should be.

II.

Christ, when Peter had said that he loved Him, rejoined: "Feed My lambs — Feed My sheep." The faithful are the flock of Jesus Christ, and the Apostles and their Successors are commissioned to feed this flock, by teaching, preaching, and administering the Sacraments, and by giving good example. Those who have embraced this calling have an important duty to perform. Let them remember with fear and trembling the prophetic description of the bad pastor of Israel: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel, that fed themselves: you ate the milk, and you clothed yourselves with the wool, and you killed that which was fat, but my flock you did not feed." (Ezech. 34:2) Let the faithful, too, remember that they owe respect to those whom Christ has commissioned to feed them; that the validity of Sacraments is independent of the virtues or the vices of lawful pastors, and that submission to them is a duty.

III.

Christ foretold to St. Peter the kind of death which he was to suffer for His sake, as a certain pledge of their mutual love. Learn, then, to consider sufferings, and even death itself, as marks of God's affection for you, as they really are. He chastises those whom He loves. Jesus Christ chose sufferings for His mortal portion: He chose what was best; He performed the will of His Father; consequently, the man who has sufferings to endure, imitates his Savior, and is specially favored by his Creator.

CHRIST APPEARS ON THE MOUNT.

I.

How ineffable the goodness of our Lord, who, in order that all His Disciples might see Him at once, and be convinced of His Resurrection, ordered them to repair to a mountain in Galilee! This was probably that memorable apparition, which St. Paul mentions when he says: "Then He was seen by more than five hundred brethren at once." (1 Cor. 15:6) Imagine with what fervor the disciples went to witness this spectacle, O that you would imitate them, when you present yourself before Him in His church!

II.

Christ appeared to them, comforted them, and confirmed them in their faith. He then said: "all power is given to Me in heaven and in earth." (Matt, 28:18) This power, as God, He had from all eternity, but He received it in time, as man, in reward of His sufferings and merits. Rejoice at the power of that Divine Being, who loves you so affectionately. Feel confidence under His protecting wing, and say with the Prophet: "If armies in camps should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear; if a battle should rise up against me, in this I will be confident." (Ps. 26:3)

III.

"Go ye, therefore, and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matt. 28:19) He thus institutes the Sacrament of Baptism, and ordains that it shall take the place of ancient circumcision. As circumcision was the entrance into the number of God's chosen people, of old, so is Baptism the entrance into His Church in the New Law. But the advantages of Baptism are far greater. Yet Baptism, or faith alone, is not sufficient for salvation; the observance of God's Commandments is also requisite. "Teaching them," continues Jesus Christ, "to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you." St. James emphatically writes: "Whosoever shall keep the whole Law; but offend in one point, is become guilty of all." (James 2:10.) Admit, then, the necessity of good works, and observe the whole Law in perfection.

OTHER APPARITIONS.

I.

Our Lord, as St. Luke writes, "showed Himself alive, after His Passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them." (Acts 1:3) Christ remained with with them for so long a time, in order to increase and strengthen their faith in His Resurrection. Although during that time, He was always present with them in an invisible manner, yet He only favored them with His visible presence at intervals. Like a tender mother, He wished to accustom them by degrees to more solid and substantial spiritual food, than the consolation of His personal presence.

II.

In these apparitions, Christ, as St. Luke observes, "spoke of the kingdom of God." He did not converse with them on worldly trifles, or objects of idle curiosity, but of the means of gaining the kingdom of God, by tribulations and sufferings. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away." (Matt. 11:12) Learn hence willingly to engage in pious conversation. It is very probable that, during these forty days, Christ delivered many instructions to his Apostles concerning the form and government of His future Church, which have been handed down to us by Tradition. Entreat your Savior to converse with you in the secret closet of your heart, and there instruct you in His Holy Law. Say with the Prophet: "Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy justifications." (Ps. 118:12)

III.

Reflect seriously within yourself, how often God has spoken interiorly to your heart, concerning the kingdom of God, moving you to a desire of ensuring it, by works of mortification, temperance, charity, and perfection. Perhaps you have not paid attention to His voice. Listen to Him for the future, lest He inflict on you some of those plagues of which Moses speaks. "The Lord shall increase thy plagues, and the plagues of thy seed, plagues great and lasting, infirmities, grievous and perpetual, because thou hearest not the voice of the Lord thy God." (Deut. 28:59, 62)

CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING CHRIST'S APPARITIONS.

I.

The various circumstances which accompanied the apparitions of Christ after His Resurrection are like those which attend His interior visits to the souls of His faithful servants. His apparitions were always of short duration, and they were more or less frequent according to the dispositions and fervor of those to whom He appeared. The same economy of providence God observes in regard to the devout soul; He does not always evince His presence with it by sensible consolations, nor are these consolations without interruption. Inflame your heart with His love, that you may the oftener enjoy His presence, and in order that you may be able to say with the spouse in the Canticle: "If you find my beloved, tell Him, that I languish with love." (Cant. 5:8)

II.

Christ generally appeared unexpectedly, and as unexpectedly withdrew Himself. Thus He increased the desire of His Disciples for the favor of His personal presence. In the same manner, He visits His faithful souls. Hence, St. Bernard observes: "Joy and content may be found in this world in the presence of the Spouse, but not satiety." Do not, therefore, expect, that your soul will be fully satisfied with spiritual joy in this world, but be content to taste only the sweetness of the divine presence. If you love your God, as you ought, you may justly say with holy David: "I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear." (Ps. 16:15)

III.

The times and places of Christ's apparitions were various. So it is with His interior visits to the soul; they sometimes take place during prayer, sometimes during sermons, or spiritual reading, and at other times, in the midst of occupation and business. "The spirit breatheth where He will." (John 3:8) Sometimes Christ appears in disguise, as He did to the affectionate Magdalene, and to the Disciples going to Emmaus; sometimes, in His own shape and figure; and, at other times, He employs the ministry of Angels. In the same manner, He manifests Himself to His faithful servants now; sometimes immediately by Himself, at other times obscurely, and more frequently by the voice of superiors, directors, and instructors. Beseech Him to open your eyes, so that you may know Him in whatever manner He appears to you. Say with the spouse: "Show me, O Thou whom my soul loveth, where Thou feedest, where Thou liest in the mid-day." (Cant. 1:6)