From the Priestly Newsletter Book III - 2000 Issue 3 p. 44-47
 

The Father's Will for Us  - Our Source of Peace

• Pope John Paul II instructs us: "The Church, as a reconciled and reconciling community, cannot forget that at the source of her gift and mission of reconciliation is the initiative, full of compassionate love and mercy, of that God who is love (see 1 John 4:8) and who out of love created human beings (see Wisdom 11:23-26; Genesis 1:27: Psalms 8:4-8)…He created them so that they might live in friendship with Him and in communion with one another.

"God is faithful to His eternal plan even when man, under the impulse of the evil one (see Wisdom 2:24) and carried away by his own pride, abuses the freedom given to him in order to love and generously seek what is good, and (instead) refuses to obey his Lord and Father. God is faithful even when man, instead of responding with love to God’s love, opposes Him and treats Him like a rival, deluding himself and relying on his own power, with the resulting break of relationship with the One who created him. In spite of this transgression on man’s part, God remains faithful in love.

"It is certainly true that the story of the Garden of Eden makes us think about the tragic consequences of rejecting the Father, which becomes evident in man’s inner disorder and in the breakdown of harmony between man and woman, brother and brother (see Genesis 3:12 ff; 4:1-16). Also significant is the Gospel parable of the two brothers (the parable of the ‘prodigal son’; see Luke 15:11-32) who, in different ways, distance themselves from their father and cause a rift between them. Refusal of God’s fatherly love and of His loving gifts is always at the root of humanity’s divisions.

"But we know that God…like the father in the parable (of the prodigal son), does not close His heart to any of His children. He waits for them, looks for them, goes to meet them at the place where the refusal of communion imprisons them in isolation and division. He calls them to gather about His table in the joy of the feast of forgiveness and reconciliation.

"This initiative on God’s part is made concrete and manifest in the redemptive act of Christ, which radiates through the world by means of the ministry of the Church." ¹³

___________
13. Pope John Paul II, as in Celebrate 2000!, Servant Publications, pp. 140-141.

Responses from Cycle A Book

18. 12-2010 - priest - NY

Keep up the good work. I'm 88 years old. No need to thank me and continue sending.

19. 11-1-2010 - Msgr. -

Thank you so much for the "Guiding Light" Cycle A homilies! I really enjoy them and so do the parishioners. God bless your work for priests.

20. 11-2-2010 - priest - OH

Thank you for the book of homilies. It has been of help to me especially when it gives the historical background. I, of course, cannot help you enough for your prayers and those of all the Shepherds of Christ. Needless, I'll keep your Apostolate in my prayers. With all good wishes and prayers, I remain

21. 11-1-2010 - priest -

Thank you for sending me the A Cycle of Fr. Joe Robinson's homilies. I also thank you for your prayers. I am 81 and still doing weekend ministry and need your prayers.

22. 11-2010 - priest - IL

For book received: Guiding Light, Cycle A Thank you — and thank you for the prayers!

23. 11-1010 - priest -

Enclosed is $ for the book you sent me. Thank you and God bless.

24. 11-1-2010 - priest -

Thanks alot. Here is the cheque for the Cycle A book, plus postage expenses. God bless your ministry with love and prayers.

25. 10-25-2010 - priest -

Peace and blessings of the Lord be with you all. I am pleased to write this letter to thank you for the 'Guiding Light; Feed My Soul' Homilies by Fr. Joe Robinson you sent me. It is really a treasure, it helped me in my homilies. I thank you very much. Since I have here Cycle C, I will be glad to have all the remaining Cycles (A and B) I'll very much appreciate it. Enclosed is a check of $ to help in your wonderful ministry. I know it is very little compared to your needs in the ministry. I promise that this will not be the end of my contribution. Once again I thank you very much. May God almighty continue to bless and protect us in his vineyard.

26. 11-2010 - priest - CA

Thanks so much for your prayers. I, too, will pray for you. I love Fr. Joe's homilies. All the best.

27. 11-2-2010 - priest - FL

Thank you for your support to us priests.

28. 11-4-2010 - priest - OH

Thank you for sending me Cycle A: Guiding Light - Steadfast to the Son by Fr. Joe Robinson. I enjoy Fr. Joe's approach and find his reflections very meaningful. Please accept the enclosed in appreciation for the book. I will keep your ministry in my prayers.

29. 11-4-2010 - priest - WI

Thanks for sending me Fr. Joe's homilies for years A and B. I have enclosed a check. Thank you, and God bless you!

30. 11-5-2010 - priest -

My gratitude to you for your prayer ministry and copy of Fr. Robinson's inspired Cycle A homilies! God bless and keep you in His care.

31. 11-2010 - Msgr. -

Thank you for the book of Fr. Joe Robinson's homilies for Cycle A and for your prayers and those of all your good people.

32. 11-3-2010 - priest - NY

Enclosed is my donation to your cause. I am a recipient of your prayers, and I can never adequately thank you. You are prayed for at my daily Mass with the plea that God may expand your work.

33. 11-2010 - priest -

Thank you for the books. May God bless you and your ministry.

34. 11-2010 - priest - IL

Thanks for the Guiding Light book. Enclosed is a check. Keep up the great work.

35. 11-2010 - priest -

Certainly enjoy the great homilies from Fr. Joe. He is certainly an excellent preacher. Really appreciate the new book on Cycle A readings. I always reflect on his thoughts as I try to prepare for the weeks Masses.

36. 11-11-2010 - priest -

Thank you very much for sending me Cycle C "Guiding Light" in the series of Guiding Light, homilies. I am 88 years of age and a priest 61 years December 4th. Thank you for your letter and you and the Shepherds of Christ praying for us. We need prayers because of the disgraced happenings in our Church. Enclosed is my check and thank you again. With prayers and blessings, I am

37. 11-12-2010 - priest - MA

Enclosed is a check for $, which is payment for one book, Guiding Light - Complete Cycle A Book of Fr. Joe Robinson's Homilies already received. Thank you

38. 11-10-2010 - priest -

Thank you for the Cycle A homilies of Fr. Joe. I now have all 3 cycles. I'm always looking for new ideas for homilies. And thank you for your unceasing prayers for priests, the Church and the world. I presume that also includes the hierarchy. The Church is in such great need of prayers. Pray always that the necessary reform occurs. I join you in your prayers. Love and prayers.

39. 11-2010 - priest - FL

Thank you for Fr. Joe's Cycle A homilies. Please accept this offering. I appreciate all his books I will love this one.

40. 11-5-2010 - priest - DC

Thank you very much for sending me Cycle A of Guiding Light homilies by Fr. Joe Robinson. You are all so very thoughtful and generous to us priests. Be assured of a remembrance in my prayers and the Masses I am privileged to offer for you, the priests and world peace. Please accept the enclosed token of my appreciation for the wonderful work you do. May the Lord bless and be with you always.

41. 11-2010 - priest -

Thank you for sending me Fr. Robinson's book, for your prayers. I need them right now.

42. 11-17-2010 - priest - TX

Thank you so much for sending me a copy of "Guiding Light" Cycle A, Homilies by Fr. Joe Robinson. Enclosed herewith there is a small donation for your invaluable ministries.

43. 11-17-2010 - priest - TX

Thank you for the homily book! May God bless.

44. 11-2-2010 - priest -

Thank you very much for the book of Fr. Robinson's homilies for Cycle A. He has a wonderful way with words that are very inspiring and sometimes humorous as well!

45. 12-2010 - priest

The Christmas card is very nice. I do enjoy the book of Homilies Cycle A — they will be very helpful. God bless your apostolate.

46. 12-2010 - priest

May 2011 be for you a year of graces and blessings. May you feel God's love and presence always and in all ways.

47. 12-2010 - priest

God bless the Shepherds of Christ Ministries — Thank you for card, prayers and homily book A. As you pray for us I pray for you. Merry Christmas.

48. 12-2010 - priest

Peace and Good. Thank you very much for your kindness sending to me the book of Fr. Joe's homilies. I am really grateful. Thank you for your care for my priesthood. Count on my prayer and may the Lord reward you the good that you have done for me. Union of prayers

49. 12-29-2010 - priest - PA

Thank you for your Christmas card, greetings and prayers.

50. 12-2010 - priest -

My dear ones, Thank you very much for your prayers and greetings. My best wishes and prayers for all your works and ministries. May God bless you all!

51. 12-2010 - priest -

Thank you for the beautiful Christmas greeting the photograph of the faith community at prayer is a special blessing. I will include your intentions in Masses I celebrate for New Years, Mary, the Mother of God.

52. 12-2010 - priest - IL

I received your Christmas card and Cycle A of the Homilies by Fr. Joe Robinson. Very helpful and inspiring! Thank you!

53. 12-27-2010 - priest

Thank you for the card and for your many kindnesses this past year. God bless you and those you love in 2011.

54. 12-29-2010 - priest -

Thank you for your beautiful Christmas Card. The chapel looks awesome. Praise God! I'm writing to thank you for your prayers. We are striving to build a perpetual adoration chapel, something beautiful for Jesus. Please keep in your prayer intentions. I wish all of you a holy spirit filled new year. Jesus' love.

July 31, 1994

Words of Jesus to Members of
Shepherds of Christ Associates:

"My beloved priest-companion, I intend to use the priestly newsletter, Shepherds of Christ, and the movement, Shepherds of Christ Associates, in a powerful way for the renewal of My Church and the world.

"I will use the newsletter and the chapters of Shepherds of Christ Associates as a powerful instrument for spreading devotion to My Heart and My Mother's Heart.

"I am calling many to become members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. To all of them I will give great blessings. I will use them as instruments to help bring about the triumph of the Immaculate Heart and the reign of My Sacred Heart. I will give great graces to the members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. I will call them to be deeply united to My Heart and to Mary's Heart as I lead them ever closer to My Father in the Holy Spirit."

- Message from Jesus to Father Edward J. Carter, S.J., Founder, as given on July 31, 1994,
feast of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits)

Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus

My dear fellow Associate Members,

Jesus is calling special apostles to join a new division of the Shepherds of Christ Movement. Here is a message from Jesus given to Father Carter:

    My beloved priest-companion, I am requesting that a new prayer movement be started under the direction of Shepherds of Christ Ministries. I am asking for volunteers who are willing to pray before the Blessed Sacrament for one hour, twice-weekly. Members of the Shepherds of Christ prayer chapters, as well as others, are to be invited to join this movement.

    These apostles are to pray for the intentions I am giving you. For part of the hour they are to use the prayers of the Shepherds of Christ Associates Handbook. They may spend the rest of the hour as they so choose.

    I will use this new prayer movement within My Shepherds of Christ Ministries in a powerful way to help in the renewal of My Church and the world. I will give great graces to those who join this movement. The name, Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, is to be given to this movement.

    I am inviting My beloved Rita Ring to be coordinator for this activity.

    I pour out the great love of My Sacred Heart to all. I am Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock.

    This is indeed a special calling for us to unite in one heart with His Eucharistic Heart and pray for the following intentions:

    1. For the spread of the devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary culminating in the reign of the Sacred Heart and the triumph of the Immaculate Heart.
    2. For the Pope.
    3. For all bishops of the world.
    4. For all priests.
    5. For all sisters and brothers in the religious life.
    6. For all members of the Shepherds of Christ Movement, and for the spread of this movement to the world.
    7. For all members of the Catholic Church.
    8. For all members of the human family.
    9. For all souls in purgatory.

end of Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart

                The Lord is My Light and My Salvation

Psalm 27: 1, 4, 13-14  

Yahweh is my light and my salvation, 
    whom should I fear? 
Yahweh is the fortress of my life, 
    whom should I dread?

One thing I ask of Yahweh, 
    one thing I seek: 
to dwell in Yahweh’s house 
    all the days of my life, 
to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh, 
    to seek out his temple.

This I believe: I shall see the goodness of Yahweh, 
    in the land of the living. 
Put your hope in Yahweh, be strong, let your heart be bold, 
    put your hope in Yahweh.

Matthew 4: 12-23

Hearing that John had been arrested he withdrew to Galilee, and leaving Nazara he went and settled in Capernaum, beside the lake, on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

    Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
    Way of the sea beyond Jordan.
    Galilee of the nations!
    The people that lived in darkness
    have seen a great light;
    on those who lived
        in a country of shadow dark as death
    a light has dawned.

From then onwards Jesus began his proclamation with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.’

As he was walking by the Lake of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast into the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Come after me and I will make you fishers of people.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him. 

    Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. And at once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.

He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and illness among the people.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 27, 2008 

INTRODUCTION: Galilee is located about 75 miles north of Jerusalem.  With cars and expressways, that doesn’t seem very far today, but since most people traveled on foot at the time of Jesus, it was a considerable distance. Galilee had a difficult history.  Seven hundred years before Christ the Assyrians destroyed Galilee and took most of its citizens, the ones they didn’t kill, and moved them far away from their homes in Galilee.  That kept conquered nations from regrouping and rebelling against them.  A lot of pagans were moved into Galilee.  By the time of Jesus seven hundred years later, there were still a lot of pagans living there and Jews as well who had moved back so the population was pretty well mixed.   

In spite of its destruction by the Assyrians, and the devastation they left behind, the prophet Isaiah, who was at that time living in Jerusalem, forsaw good things for Galilee.  Into the spiritual and social darkness that covered the land, Isaiah said a light would shine.  You might remember those lines from the first reading on Christmas.  St. Matthew quotes this long passage from Isaiah to tell us Jesus was the fulfillment of that prophecy.  It would have been normal for a religious teacher like Jesus to do his preaching and teaching mainly in Jerusalem. (Joachim Jeremias pg 242)   Jesus however chose to begin his ministry in Galilee where he spent most of his life.  Jesus was the light that the people of Galilee, the people living in darkness, had longed for.  In these readings Galilee is called by the names of two of the tribes of Israel that originally settled there: Zebulun and Naphtali.  

HOMILY: According to the Bible, the first gift God created was light.  Afterwards, when God was creating other things like fish and birds and cattle and creeping things and animals and human beings he gave us all eyes to be able to appreciate what the light revealed to us.  And he gave us a brain to be able to interpret, to a greater or lesser degree, what is seen.  Although we wonder at times how intelligent human beings are, science tells us we humans have the most developed brain of all life on this planet.   

With our imaginative and creative and logical minds we can see things that do not even exist, including abstract ideas.  We speak in terms of light and seeing when we have ideas, such as: “I see how that’s done,” or “this just dawned on me,” or “I saw the light.”   This notion of seeing something with our mind’s eye also applies to spiritual things too.  St. Matthew describes Jesus’ ministry in Galilee in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light.”  Jesus spoke of light to describe his own ministry when he said: “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (Jn 8,12)  The term “revelation” is a theological term that identifies this light that God gives us.  When we let ourselves be guided by that light it is called “faith.”  Faith is nothing other than a way of seeing with God’s own eyes.  Our faith gives us a vision that ironically comes, not through what we see with our eyes or create with our minds, but through what we hear with our ears!  It tells us why we were created, how we are to live, how we are to treat one another, what is going to happen after we die.  It is a vision that is sometimes crystal clear, like when Jesus tells us about the importance of love for God and for each other. Other times it is blurry; for example, when St. Paul talks about the next life, he tells us “at present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror” (mirrors were not so wonderful in those days.)  Faith is a way of seeing that is based simply on the word Jesus spoke to us.  In some cases, what we see in faith contradicts what we see with our eyes, like: “This is my body.”  It contradicts what we see, but in faith we choose not to believe our eyes but to believe God’s word which we have considered to be more reliable.  I wonder how much brighter life would be for all of us and for the world in general if our minds and hearts were more open to the light that Christ has brought us.   

When we were baptized a candle was given to us with the words, “Receive the light of Christ.”  For most of us that candle was given to our parents or sponsors to hold for us.  It was up to them to help us live by that light.  Obviously we have lived by that light or we wouldn’t be here today.  I commend you for that and thank you for it.  

But that light should not be kept hidden.  Through confirmation we have been commissioned to bring that light to others.  Jesus not only said “I am the light of the world, but he also said “you are the light of the world.”  Today we heard about Jesus choosing four disciples who would one day set the world on fire with his light.  But they did their job a long time ago and passed Christ’s light on to others, and those others passed it on to others and eventually it got to us.  We have the faith because someone led us to it.  If others in the future are to have the faith, it will depend on us.  We have to share with others the light we have received.  We don’t have to get up and preach to do that.  We can do it by the way we live, by being morally good, honest, loving people.  We can invite people to come to church with us.  When we have the opportunity, we can share our faith by simply telling others what our faith means to us.  When we try to debate doctrine, we can get in a big argument, but if we tell someone how much my faith means to us, who can argue with that?   

In summary, God has blessed us in many ways. One of the reasons we’re here today is to give thanks (that’s what Eucharist means).  He created light and gave us the ability to see by it.  But God gave us the greatest gift of all when he sent his Son, Jesus, to us and gave us the ability to believe in him.  For his light will enlighten our lives throughout eternity.  May others come to walk in his light too.  Amen. 

17 Years Ago
 

     To the man he said, ‘Because you listened to the voice of your wife and ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat,

   Accursed be the soil because of you!
   Painfully will you get your food from it
   as long as you live.
   It will yield you brambles and thistles,
   as you eat the produce of the land.
   By the sweat of your face
   will you earn your food,
   until you return to the ground,
   as you were taken from it.
   For dust you are
   and to dust you shall return.’

Given November 10, 2009

Mission of the Shepherds of Christ

                I.)  To pray for the priests, the Church and the world

                            a)  8 days a month
                            b)  6:20 daily
                            c)  Friday 12 - 3
                            d)  Sidney Rosary  — one Tuesday a month
                            e)  24 hour adoration in China
                            f)  Prayer Chapters all over the world
                                    1)  many daily Mass
                                    2)  one hour adoration daily
                            g)  Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus                                   

          II.) Circulate Priestly Newsletter and Books

                     a)  over 15,000,000 Priestly Newsletters if we include Priestly Newsletter
                                 in the books we circulated.

                     b)  prayer manuals
                     c)  spiritual instruction books
                     d)  daily writing
                     e)  spirituality handbook
                     f)  rosary materials to schools
                     g)  school consecration and home consecration
                     h)  Junior Shepherds of Christ
                     i)   videos and CD's

          Mass instruction  —  Mass Book and Daily Writing and 13th's

                      Sacrifice of Calvary  — sacramentally made present

                      Laying down one's life  — united to Christ.

                      Being connected to all the souls He died for
                            in this unity in the Heart of Jesus  —

                      Mary  — one human creature without sin

                      Mary  —  spiritual mother

                  Bread of Life

                      1)  Word  — Fr. Joe's books
                                    Daily Writing
                                    Book instruction

                       2)  Eucharist

                                    Fr. Joe's book
                                    Fr. Carter's books
                                    Mass Book
                                    Blue Books
                                    Rosary Books
                                    Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart
                                    Everything I have written.

                   Rosary Meditation

                          Tiny  —  Tot to Elderly
                          Priest  —  Hierarchy

                    Living out the mystery of Christ

                    Living as modeled by Jesus and Mary

                    Living according to Jesus
                          following in His footsteps.

    Seven Levels of Commitment in the Shepherds of Christ Movement

1. There are Associates who gather and pray at least once monthly as a group and also help with donations to support the Shepherds of Christ priestly newsletter. They can be tremendously involved. They give as they feel they are able.

2. Apostles are members who have restricted their apostolic activity to the Shepherds of Christ. They literally act as a body of lay people who have given their lives in their present living situation to do all that they can to bring about the Reign of the Sacred Heart and the triumph of Mary's Immaculate Heart.

3. Prayer Apostles are often shut-ins, some are able to go to church and pray. They spend much of their lives praying for the Movement.

4. Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus are those who spend at least two separate hours weekly before the Blessed Sacrament praying for the following:

1. 1.  For the spread of the devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary culminating in the reign of the Sacred Heart and the triumph of the Immaculate Heart.

2. 2.  For the Pope.

3. 3.  For all bishops of the world.

4. 4.  For all priests.

5. 5.  For all sisters and brothers in the religious life.

6. 6.  For all members of the Shepherds of Christ Movement, and for the spread of this   Movement to the world.

7. 7.  For all members of the Catholic Church.

8. 8.  For all members of the human family.

9. 9.  For all souls in purgatory.

5. Handmaids of the Good Shepherd are young and older women who have given their lives in community primarily to pray for the Shepherds of Christ Movement and intentions and to be special spouses of Jesus. Some have more duties than others. All have the primary duty of prayer and the desire to be a special spouse of our Lord. One of the functions of the handmaids is the involvement in praying for and helping to circulate the priestly newsletter. The handmaids are not members of a religious order.
     

6. Servants of the Good Shepherd are men who live in community with a lifestyle and purpose similar to that of the handmaids. The servants are not members of a religious order.
      

7. We wish to form a special congregation of priests who will realize their great oneness with Christ. They will be consecrated deeply to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and support the Shepherds of Christ Movement as holy priests.  

9. end of November 10, 2009

We need to reprint the Cycle A Homily Book

Please help us to reprint the book
to send to the priests.

1-888-211-3041