Each time i hear this ever so frequently quoted passage from St. John (10:11-18), i reap something new. Today it struck me, especially after a wonderful homily, that we are all shepherds, and we are all called to be 'good'.
Good? Like the love of the Father for his Son, unconditional, timeless. We are all sometimes either a shepherd, leading, teaching, protecting, caring, or one of the flock, learning, needing protection and care. 'Good' too, is not loving as a hireling, but as one fully committed. If we see all mankind, all living things, as part of ourselves, God, shared, brothers, One with the Holy Ghost, then we are committed: how can we then not care?
"One flock, one shepherd", says Jesus, even of those who are not part of his fold whom he must lead back to God, back Home.
Today we prayed for all those who have responded to God's call and chosen freely to be his shepherds. We prayed for all those who have yet to respond, who are distracted, confused, disappointed and lost, but can be found and given direction, perhaps by you or me. We prayed, too, for all those people for whom no one has ever prayed. This made me sad: to live without a prayer and with no one praying for you. Alone in ones own mind, living under the tyranny of isolation, Selfishness and stark materialism. In prayer today i asked God to include me in His fold, fill me with faith, let me accept faith, follow the Christ with vigilance, patience and wisdom and to be a good shepherd for those live without prayer. God bless them and may they be filled with Love.
Deo gratias.
Good? Like the love of the Father for his Son, unconditional, timeless. We are all sometimes either a shepherd, leading, teaching, protecting, caring, or one of the flock, learning, needing protection and care. 'Good' too, is not loving as a hireling, but as one fully committed. If we see all mankind, all living things, as part of ourselves, God, shared, brothers, One with the Holy Ghost, then we are committed: how can we then not care?
"One flock, one shepherd", says Jesus, even of those who are not part of his fold whom he must lead back to God, back Home.
Today we prayed for all those who have responded to God's call and chosen freely to be his shepherds. We prayed for all those who have yet to respond, who are distracted, confused, disappointed and lost, but can be found and given direction, perhaps by you or me. We prayed, too, for all those people for whom no one has ever prayed. This made me sad: to live without a prayer and with no one praying for you. Alone in ones own mind, living under the tyranny of isolation, Selfishness and stark materialism. In prayer today i asked God to include me in His fold, fill me with faith, let me accept faith, follow the Christ with vigilance, patience and wisdom and to be a good shepherd for those live without prayer. God bless them and may they be filled with Love.
Deo gratias.
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