A Homily for Memorial of Saint Boniface
Friday, June 5, 2026
Prince of Peace Catholic Church – 8:00 Mass
Acts 26:19-23; Psalm 117:1bc, 2; John 10:11-16
Audio Recording
Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Boniface, a missionary bishop who left the comforts of home in England to bring the Gospel to the pagans in Germany who had not yet come to know Christ. Known as the “Apostle of Germany,” he spent his life bringing those who were far from Christ into the fold of the Church. In many ways, Boniface became an instrument of the Good Shepherd. He endured hardship, opposition, and eventually martyrdom because he believed that every soul was worth bringing to Christ.
That image of the Good Shepherd lies at the heart of today’s Gospel. Jesus tells us, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” He goes on to say, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead.”
Those words reveal the heart of God. The Lord is not content to care only for those already gathered around Him. He is constantly seeking those who have wandered away. He knows every sheep by name, and He never stops calling them home.
Perhaps there is someone here today who has been away from the Church for a long time. If that is you, know that your presence here is not an accident. The Good Shepherd has been seeking you. Through the events of your life, He has been gently calling you back to Himself. He is not interested in reminding you how long you have been away. He simply rejoices that you are here. The Good Shepherd does not scold those who have wandered away; He welcomes them home.
Many people spend years searching for peace, purpose, happiness, or fulfillment, only to discover that nothing in this world completely satisfies the deepest longing of the human heart. That is because we were created for God. The emptiness we sometimes experience is really a sign that our hearts were made for a relationship with Him.
But today’s message is not only for those who are returning. It is also for those who have remained faithful for many years. It is possible to come to Mass regularly and forget the extraordinary gift that has been placed before us.
The truth is that both the returning disciple and the faithful disciple need the same thing: a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The one who has been away needs His mercy. The one who has remained faithful needs His grace. None of us ever outgrow our need for the Lord.
The beautiful thing about our Catholic faith is that Christ does not simply call to us from a distance. He comes to meet us in the sacraments. In Confession, the Good Shepherd lifts our burdens and restores us when we have strayed. In the Eucharist, He feeds us with His own Body and Blood, the same Body given up for us on the Cross and the same Blood poured out for our salvation, strengthening us for the journey of faith.
Whether we are returning after many years or have been receiving Communion for decades, Christ continues to offer Himself to us.
In our first reading, Paul speaks about being obedient to the heavenly vision he received from Christ. Boniface lived that same obedience. Even in his later years, when he could have chosen a quieter life, Boniface continued his missionary work. Ultimately, he gave his life while serving those he hoped to bring to Christ.
Today, the same Good Shepherd, Jesus himself, stands before us, fully present in His Word and the Eucharist. Some of us are hearing His voice again after a long absence. Others have heard it for years. But all of us are being invited to come closer, to trust more deeply and receive the grace that only He can give.
St. Boniface, pray for us.