“We are all aware that in the case of Priesthood and Religious Life, there have been difficulties, imperfections, but then it is our responsibility to pray every day for the Priests and Religious so that they become shepherds after the heart of Jesus Christ, perfect holy and committed,” he said.
The Secretary General of NCBC said that the society deserves holy Priests and committed women and men Religious for proper transformation of communities. He reiterated that to have such people, there is need for constant prayers.
Reflecting on Jesus as the Good Shepherd, Fr. Karuvelil said that mothers are good examples of shepherds. He urged the faithful to pray for the church to have good shepherds in the duties performed by Priests and the Religious.
He went on to challenge the people of God everywhere to become shepherds with a difference, shepherds who make a difference in the lives of those entrusted to them.
Addressing the Laity, the Catholic Priest said that just like the sheep that listen to their shepherd, they should listen to the voice of Jesus and not to “voices that come from all over the world”. He categorized the worldly voice into the ills committed on social media and other platforms.
“The voices that come from all over the world, through social media, through any kind of media, through our friends and families and from different sources are so loud and therefore, we are unable to identify the voice of Jesus,” he said
“Dear sisters and brothers, we are all called to be shepherds; we are shepherds in one way or the other, as Priests, as Religious, as fathers, as mothers, as teachers as nurses as cleaners as employees; in whichever area we find ourselves, there are people given to our care; we are expected to be shepherds to them,” Fr. Karuvelil said.
He continued, “We have to examine ourselves to find out what difference we make in the lives of people who we take care of. If you are doing the things only because of the reward that we are going to get, the benefits we receive disqualifies us as good shepherds.”
The member of CMI urged the people of God to pray so that more young people could embrace the vocation to Priesthood and Religious Life.
Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.
