In our shared, living memory, this Sunday of Easter has beenknown as Good Shepherd Sunday, from the text of John’s Gospel proclaimed by the Church this day. I would like to suggest that this day also be known as Children of God Sunday, from the text of the First Letter of St. John, also proclaimed this day.
These two titles or concepts, perceived in faith, are directly related and open for us a tremendous insight into what it is that we believe, and who we become because of that belief. Flowing from the great Baptismal Mystery at the heart of Easter, Jesus’ identity as Shepherd and our own identity as Children of God call out and call for the fulfillment of our membership in Christ and so in the Church. Key elements of this fulfillment are our further initiation into Christ and the Church through our welcome to the Table of his Sacrifice, the Eucharist, and through our Confirmation as his members.
This weekend our young people who are being Confirmed will stand with their Sponsors, family members and Pastor to be Confirmed by Bishop McManus, and to confirm their commitment to Christ and his Church. We give thanks to God for them, and we pray the Gifts of the Holy Spirit upon them together with our Bishop. On May 2, another group of young parishioners will go with their families, parishioners and pastor who have supported them in their journey to the Altar from which they will be fed with the Bread that comes down from heaven. We give thanks to God for them, and we pray that they and their families will be nourished and nurtured for years to come with Christ’s enduring gift of his Dying and his Rising in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
“See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are!” 1John 3:1