“Transformed by Hope” is proposed as a space of listening and discernment on the Sunday Gospels that accompany our journey.

This initiative is situated within the horizon opened by the Jubilee and seeks to extend its grace, continuing to live our vocation as pilgrims of hope amid the challenges of our time.

Each week, in the light of the Word of God, we contemplate an aspect of the conversion to which we are called, allowing ourselves to be guided by the Spirit. 

For the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Gospel reflection is accompanied by a meditation by Sr. Cecilia Espenilla, Prioress General of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena and UISG Delegate in the Philippines.

For this Sunday, April 26, the image presented to us in the Gospel, is Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  Why is Jesus the good shepherd? He is the only one who can truly protect and save His people - His flock.  His dedication to us is as close as a shepherd is to his sheep.  Jesus knows each one of us because He is our Redeemer.  Like a shepherd who protects, defends and saves his flock from attack, Jesus is the one who does that for us. A shepherd always keeps watch of his sheep, and Jesus watches over us. More than that, He is with us always until the end of the age and will lead us all of our days as we trust in Him.  He stresses that he never deserts us and is ready to lay down his life for us.  It portrays how the Lord guides believers on the right path and that His rod and staff comfort us, even in the darkest of valleys.  Jesus is my Good Shepherd and I love Him.  

As consecrated persons this is also our mission, we have to be like shepherds to the people we work with.  At this moment my role is that of the Prioress General, so I take the role of the good shepherd of our congregation.  I know my sheep and they know me.  The Sisters when they have some personal concerns they call me and as a shepherd I guide the Sisters.  Most especially during Canonical Visitation, it is a big opportunity for me to visit and talk to each Sister.  The Sisters are trusting enough to open up and share with me their life’s journey as a sister.  Indeed, a big role as a good shepherd, guiding the Sisters to holiness of life.