HAVE YOU MADE OUT YOUR “WILL”?
April 17, 2005 4th Sunday of Easter (A) John 10:1-10WORD OF GOD “I am the good shepherd.” We all know what a Good Shepherd is like. Jesus told us. He/she loves the sheep of the flock—each and every one of them. If one of the little rascals is naughty, scampers off and gets lost a Good Shepherd scours the hills until he finds it, carries it on his shoulder, feeds it and brings it back to the to the sheepfold.
The type of Good Shepherd knows each of the sheep by name. Through their many years of experience the older shepherds know where to find the tasty grass. And when the shepherd’s body weakens and he/she prepares to die, this shepherd makes out a behest.. He/she entrusts the sheep to a younger “Good Shepherd’ who will certainly love his flock. He leaves a detailed list of instructions for the new shepherd and wise advice—kind of like a “Will.” Then he/she closes his/her eyes and goes in peace.
POPE JON PAUL II—SHEPHERD gave us many an example of what it means to have been a “Good Shepherd” both in life and in death. He was responsible for a big flock of sheep. He wanted to gather all his sheep into the community of his flock. He couldn’t remember each of the sheep by name. But he visited many counties. And somehow people got the idea that he loved each of them.
Moreover, he visited God’s other sheep. The Hindus, the Buddhists, the Moslems, the Jewish community.
And as he prepared for his death, he showed us how to die. Unable to speak he raised his hand an inch or two in blessing.
And at his death, he left a “Spiritual Will”. He had no personal property. But he had a treasury of “spiritual property.” And this he generously bequeathed to each of the sheep. In that way he hoped to continue to be shepherd even after his death.

SIGNIFICANCE
Each of us and especially our elderly are also shepherds. The sheep are our community, our fellow citizens, our family and especially the next generation. Our Holy Father gave us a fine example of how we shepherds might prepare for our death and resurrection.
RESPONSE Like the Holy Father, we too, while we still enjoy some good health can continue our mission to our own sheep: family, friends, our children, grandchildren and non-believing friends. We can prepare our own “Spiritual Will”.
. A “Will” not only allocates our money and material possessions. More importantly, we will also bequeath our spiritual treasures. We bequeath to the next generation the wisdom and virtues of our ancestors. We pass on our Faith to our descendants. We pass on the experiences and wisdom that we have acquired during our lifetime. Above all, we pass on our gratitude for all gifts that God has given and which now we pass on to our descendants.
The Will may be quite brief—several lines, a whole paragraph or even several pages. Or it could be a tape recording. Maybe ask someone to read your “Spiritual Will” after the funeral Mass and mail it to your heirs. We might be able to make this "Will" more personal by leaving special gifts to each your children, your grandchildren and great grandchildren. “For each ones’ eyes only!” FINALE:
How many of you wish to be shepherds at your death and beyond? How many of you will think about this during the coming week? Smile or raise your hand.

HOMILETIC NOTES AND STUFF
April 17, 2005 4th Sunday of Easter (A) John 10:1-10
TEXT “I am the good shepherd; …”
HEARERS OF THE WORD 7:
ONE WORD: Shepherds
TWO WORDS: Death of a shepherd
TOPIC SENTENCE: The death of a shepherd to a gift to the next generation
CHURCH TEACHING: “The Church is apostolic … -she continues to be taught, sanctified and guided by the apostles…through their successors in pastoral office: the college of bishops, ‘assisted by priests’ in union with the successor of Peter, the Church’s supreme pastor [Shepherd].” Ad Gentes, 5, Catechism of the Catholic Church, (Mission Hills, CA: Benziger, 1989) # 857 p. 227.CHEWING, DIGESTING AND DOING GOD’S WORD
April 17, 2005 4th Sunday of Easter (A) John 10:1-10
NAME _______ GRADE _______
List any three of the characteristics of a “Good Shepherd”.
A) _______________ B) _______________ C) ____________________

Give one example of Pope John Paul being a “Good Shepherd”.
_________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
What are some lessons that Pope John Paul taught us about the process of bodily diminishment?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
What did John Paul do to continue his shepherding after his death?
He made out a S__________ W______

(Optional) Although we associate death usually occurs to seniors, there are many examples of that because of health or accident a younger person dies?
Would you seriously consider preparing some form of “Spiritual Will”? Why? Why not?
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