Episode Transcript
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Whenever I go home to the Philippines to visit my family on holidays,
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my mum, Mama Cita, would always prepare or buy my favourite food,
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Cebuano Chorizo.
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My mum knows me that well.
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She enjoys doing that, and it’s out of love that
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my mum does that, not just to me, but also for my siblings.
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Our Mother’s love and knowledge of us
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these are borne out of something that I could only describe as raw,
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or instinctive even.
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And isn’t it amazing how they could sustain that love
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for over a long period of time,
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and their patience, oh my, for me, that’s almost supernatural.
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Obviously, I’m no mum, but
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as a pastor,
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as a shepherd to my flock,
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I reflected on this and asked myself,
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Am I as loving, as patient, and consistent
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and how well do I know those who are entrusted to my care?
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If I have to be honest, my answers to these questions
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make me feel like I’m a lost sheep.
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What I find as a source of joy that sustains me in my vocation
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are these three words from our Gospel reading today,
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words from Jesus about His sheep, He said,
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I know them.
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Yes, Jesus knows me, and He knows you.
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We might make all the effort and put in all the work to know Him,
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to study and pray,
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and that’s good, because we need to do that.
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But ultimately,
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it's God who knows us.
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The good news is that the Good Shepherd,
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who made us and to whom we belong,
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He searches and knows us!
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As sheep, you and I,
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we can get lost along the way, and perhaps even repeatedly.
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But our God searches for us.
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Our God knows me,
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He knows you.
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And knowing that I am known and loved,
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this gives me joy and consolation to continue
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God’s work through my vocation.
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And I hope this message of being known and loved
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also encourages you continue your journey
wherever God has called and sent you.
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It could be your family,
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or just even to the next person you meet.
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Happy Mother’s Day to all our mums!
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And Happy Good Shepherd Sunday!
