What is the worst that can happen? You lose three minutes of your valuable day? But the best that can happen is you feel God's Presence guiding your life!
What does the image of a shepherd tell us about God's care for us?
Shepherding was one of the oldest of callings in Israel, even before farming, since the Chosen People had travelled from place to place, living in tents, and driving their flocks from one pasture to another.
Looking after sheep was no easy calling. It required great skill and courage.
Flocks were quite small, (no one shepherd would ever have control of more than fifty sheep) but the dangers were many. The flocks spent a good part of the year in the open country. Watching over them required a great deal of attention and care. Sheep who strayed from the flock had to be sought out and brought back by the shepherd. Since hyenas, jackals, wolves, and even bear were common and fed on sheep, the shepherds often had to do battle with these wild and dangerous beasts.
A shepherd literally had to put his life on the line in defending his sheep.
Shepherds took turns watching the sheep at night to ward off any attackers.
The sheep and their shepherds continually lived together. Their life was so intimately bound together that individual sheep, even when mixed with other flocks, could recognize the voice of their own shepherd and would come immediately when called by name.
The Old Testament often spoke of God as shepherd of his people, Israel.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1).
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1)
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3).
The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed His flock
like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11).
Jesus told His disciples that He was the Good Shepherd who was willing to lay down His life for his sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4, John 10). This was not just the ones who were with Him at the time, but all people who dare to trust in His promise to be with them until the end of time!
When Jesus saw the multitude of people in need of protection and care, he was moved to respond with compassionate concern. He always is moved to compassion when He sees a person struggling in life and calling out to Him. But He will not intervene in your life unless you ask Him humbly like a child.
Jesus' love was a personal love for each and every person who came to him in need. Peter the apostle called Jesus the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25).
How is your life going right now? Are you happy with what you have achieved? Are you comfortable about the future? Do you know that God is willing and eager to give you His added help and comfort?
Do you know the peace and security of a life freely submitted to Jesus, the Good Shepherd? In the person of the Lord Jesus we see the unceasing vigilance and patience of God's love. In our battle against sin and evil, Jesus is ever ready to give us help, strength, and refuge. Do you trust in his grace and help at all times?
Well now you can! Start today by praying this prayer.
"Lord Jesus, you guard and protect us from all evil. Help me to stand firm in your word and to trust in your help in all circumstances. I need your Divine Assistance because I am unable to do this alone and without you. From this day on, may I always find rest and refuge in the shelter of your Presence. Please send us better shepherds to guard your Church on earth and please rid us of those false shepherds who don’t care for the sheep but only are concerned with hurting them or taking advantage of their innocence. Allow me to find such a good shepherd who will help encourage me when I feel lost and be encouraged to know that You are always willing to help me in my need. I ask this in your name Jesus, my Lord and Saviour! Amen!"
(here are the readings of today's Mass)
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Brothers and sisters:
Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind. Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you.
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant,
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 23 R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Gospel Mark 6:30-34
The apostles returned to Jesus, and told Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. As He stepped ashore he saw a great multitude, and He was moved with pity for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.
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