Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, or those who are like a mother to someone dear to them. May you always be blessed by the Lord and guided by the Blessed Mother in your vocation to nurture your children in wisdom and goodness of heart.
It is appropriate that Mother’s Day falls on Good Shepherd Sunday, a day when we reflect on the role of Jesus as someone who cares for each of us and protects us from danger, just as a mother does. When Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “My sheep hear my voice,” I think of my mother calling me or my brothers and sisters: “Kids, it’s supper time!” or “You two – stop fighting!” It seems that every mother in the neighborhood had a unique way of calling their children to come home when the streetlights came on – just like a shepherd.
I wonder if you’ve ever noticed the pattern that the Scripture readings take during the Easter season. For example, the first reading on Sundays is always from the Acts of the Apostles. Coupled with the weekday readings, we hear virtually the entire book by the time Pentecost arrives.
Most of the Gospel readings come from the Gospel of John, especially the “Last Supper Discourse” which is read in all three years on the 5th, 6th and 7th Sundays of Easter. However, the Gospel on this 4th Sunday is always from the 10th chapter of John: the “Good Shepherd Discourse.”
The second readings come from three sources: the first letter of Peter (Year A); the first letter of John (Year B); and the book of Revelation (Year C), which we are hearing this year. In that book, Jesus is referred to as the victorious Lamb who has conquered death and is adored by throngs in heaven.
There is no more dramatic portrayal of this image of the Lamb than the great altarpiece in Ghent, Belgium by the artist Jan van Eyck, entitled “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.” I wrote about this great work of art in the bulletin late last year, following my trip to Europe in early December. I’d like to mention a few details about this incredible masterpiece which brings to life the images we read about in the book of Revelation.
The Ghent Altarpiece resides in St. Bavo Cathedral where it was first placed in 1432. Over the centuries, it has withstood several robberies which nearly caused it to be destroyed. Fortunately, it has survived the ravages of war and theft. Only one panel, the one in the lower left, stolen in 1934, has never been recovered, and was replaced by a very good copy of the original.
The photo above, below, and on the cover of this bulletin, were taken on my iPhone, along with many others to capture the incredible detail to be found in van Eyck’s masterpiece.
Seeing this majestic work up close is truly a religious experience, one for which I am very grateful. It is amazing to think how an artist can produce something as extraordinary as this. We must be thankful that God bestows upon human beings this great gift to visualize the truths of our faith with such beauty and imagination.
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor