Greetings in Christ!

I am writing this to you under a hot desert sun as I take some time to reflect after the busyness of the Lenten season and Holy Week.

One of the blessings we can find in spending time in a different location or at least out of our usual routines is that it provides an opportunity to have a new perspective on our life and our walk with the Lord. This Sunday, I find great comfort in the words of Jesus in the Gospel when He declares, "I am the gate for the sheep,” and contrasts his role as the Good Shepherd with that of a thief who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.

In a world filled with competing voices—voices that often lead to anxiety, division, and a sense of scarcity, the Lord offers us a different path. He promises that, "whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.”

By virtue of our baptism, we can confidently proclaim that we are Christ’s sheep. The grace of baptism has washed away our sins and has united us with Him. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we recognize His voice in the midst of the chaos of our lives. As a community, our goal is to cultivate a prayer life that allows us to distinguish the gentle, guiding voice of the Shepherd from the noise of the world. Through the Sacraments, Adoration, and Scripture, we deepen our recognition of his voice.

Another key aspect of our Lord’s teachings is that He is not just a guide, or one of many teachers that we might follow. He is THE GATE, He is the way to eternal safety, salvation, and nourishment. When we prioritize our faith and trust in Him, we find true security. We are called to "enter" through him, meaning we align our personal and family lives with Gospel values rather than the quick, destructive paths offered by "thieves" of our peace and the often tempting but passing security and pleasures offered by the world.

Jesus assures us that living in this dynamic of consistently following Him and the path that He sets before us, will ultimately lead to a more abundant life both beginning in this life and continuing in fullness in the next. He says, "I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

My prayers for each one of you as we continue this Easter season and seek to follow more closely the voice of the Good Shepherd.

In Christ,

Fr. Michael Carlson, Pastor