By Fr. Christopher Kubat
“The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack” (Ps 23:1). These words were fulfilled when the eternal Son of God the Father took on flesh to rescue us from the grasp of the wolf or Satan and his fellow fallen angels.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn 10: 11). In addition, Jesus said, “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture” (Jn 10: 9). Jesus is referring to heaven.
Almost 43 years ago, after starting college at Creighton University, I met a friend named Michael. We both had dreams. His goal was to become a dentist, and mine to become a medical doctor. In addition to being busy with our studies, he met his future wife Diane and I was constantly pushing away and ignoring the gentle call to the priesthood. As the years grinded away, we both started attending daily Mass and our faith accelerated.
During those years, as Mike started praying that his children would respond accordingly to the vocational calling of God, the gentle calling of the Lord Jesus to leave medicine became clearer to me.
Last year Mike’s son, Scott, was ordained a priest in the archdiocese of Omaha. Shortly after his ordination, his mother was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer. As the disease progressed, Mike told me that her love and devotion to Jesus the Good Shepherd grew stronger and stronger.
Jesus said that His sheep, “will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers” (Jn 10:5). Where did Jesus go that we are to follow? We all know that He went to the cross. Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23).
Initially after her diagnosis, Diane did not want to carry this cross. Who would? Even Jesus asked His Father three times if His cross could pass Him by, but in the end accepted the will of His Heavenly Father. “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will” (Mt 26:39).
Like Jesus, Diane accepted her cross and died a holy death having received the sacraments administered by her son Father Scott Schilmoeller. Also by her bedside was her husband Mike. I was fortunate in having seen her several days before death. During my last visit, all she wanted was a priestly blessing and a prayer. As we prayed and during my blessing she had a peaceful look on her face I will never forget.
Where did Jesus go after His death? Three days later, He rose triumphantly from the dead and appeared to His disciples in His glory. By faith, we know that after following the Good Shepherd to our crosses, we too will follow Him to the glory of our own resurrection on the last day. Eternal rest grant unto Diane’s soul, Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her! Glory be to God!
