The Catholic Cafe

In chapter 6 of the Acts of the Apostles, we hear of Saint Stephen and six of his companions being called to a special vocation of service to the Church. These seven men would be the first Deacons of the Catholic Church, called to service to the Word, Altar, and Charity. 2000 years later, God still calls men to the vocation of the Diaconate.

Good Shepherd Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is when the Universal Church celebrates our shepherds, the priests, bishops, and pope who all act in the person of the One Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. God the Father knew we would need Shepherds like Jesus and His priests in order to help us get to heaven.

In the well known biblical account that takes place on the Road to Emmaus, sometimes people overlook the detail when Jesus shares the meal with Cleopus and his traveling companion. The story tells us that Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them. Perhaps there is more to the story.

When we are attached to certain kinds of sins, it is hard for us to love like God loves. He loves us unconditionally and wants us to be free to love Him in that way as well.

It is certainly not uncommon that kids tend to go astray at some point in their young lives. And it is also not uncommon for parents to pray that they return. This Easter, perhaps we should think about what exactly we are asking for in our prayers.