Collect taken from the Fourth Sunday of Easter.
Collect: Almighty ever-living God, lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before. Who lives and reigns…
“Almighty ever-living God, lead us to a share in the joys of heaven“
– We look forward to heaven, but we can share in some of it’s joys here and now. Holiness, virtue, good liturgy; all these and more are ways we can share in that joy now.
“so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before”
– It is Good Shepherd Sunday, so we focus on the image of Christ the Shepherd leading us into eternal pastures. But, this request is connected to the first part of the prayer; The idea is that we share in heavenly joys now and that share gives us the strength to follow Christ all the way.
Questions & Advice: Do you see heaven only as some distant future? How much time and energy do you spend on heavenly things? What obstacles do you need the Good Shepherd to lead you past?
Shore up your understanding of spiritual joy. You could also read and reflect on the Catechism’s teaching about everlasting life. Spend some of your daily prayer time asking God for a greater understanding of heaven, of joy, and of just how much we need the Good Shepherd.
