“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5

Even in life’s darkest moments, the light of Jesus the Good Shepherd shines through. This light does not merely illuminate the shadows; it transforms, restores, and calls us to foster communities grounded in love, justice, and dignity for all, where no one is left behind.

Pope Francis’ Lenten message for 2025 reminds us that “journeying together in hope” requires the intentional action of walking with others towards a common goal, rooted in our shared dignity.

Our common goal towards a Universal Culture of Justice, as reflected in our Position Papers and Congregational Directives, reminds us that being bearers of Jesus’ light means being intentional in our acts of justice. Whether advocating for the dignity of migrants, fighting against human trafficking, or addressing ecological devastation, our mission must be rooted in the understanding that every living being is a unique embodiment of the Divine—born of stardust, shaped by soil, and sustained within the great web of life, a source of infinite light and wonder.

A Call to Action

As sisters and partners-in-mission, we are co-creators in the Good Shepherd Mission, the light of which pierces through the barriers of injustice, inequality, and exclusion.

This year’s Easter Letter from the Congregational Leadership Team invites us that “wherever we serve, let us be bearers of light, pilgrims of hope, [and] witnesses of God’s boundless tenderness.”

We too must step out of the darkness and into the light, to ensure our path does not drift from our mission. Journeying together in hope, we can transform the darkest spaces into beacons of hope and renewal as we strive to build a universal culture of justice, dignity, and love.

What steps will you take today to shine the light of our mission in the world?