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TODAY’S WORD…

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“I am the good shepherd.

As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me.

And I am willing to die for them.”

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– John 10:14-15 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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Jesus, who describes Himself as the good shepherd,

tells us that He is willing to lay down His life for us, His ‘sheep’

“Here”, says St. John Chrysostom, “He is speaking of His passion,

making it clear this would take place for the salvation of the world

and that He would go to it freely and willingly.”

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Our Lord “did what He said He would do”, St. Gregory comments;

“He gave His life for His sheep,

and He gave His body and blood in the Sacrament

to nourish with His flesh the sheep He had redeemed.”

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Christ knows His sheep,

He knows and loves His people, His church;

He knows their wants, their dangers, and their characters;

His is a deep, divine interest in their welfare.

He knows their hearts,

and, as their shepherd, He aids and defends them to the point of being willing to die for them.

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We, His sheep, His faithful, know Him – that is, we acknowledge and love Him as our Saviour and Friend.

We need Him badly and we humbly go to Him

also because His teachings and commands give us hope and protection, while setting us free.

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The Lord is my loving Shepherd who, as I follow and obey,

“lets me rest in fields of green grass

and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.

He gives me new strength

and He guides me in the right paths.” (Ps 23:2-3)

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PRAYER…

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Watchful Shepherd, protect me,

search tirelessly for me should I ever wander off

and bring me back home and tend and heal my wounds.

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Good Shepherd,

thank You for laying down Your Life for me.

Nourish me, Lord, with the Bread of Life,

that I may reflect Your likeness

and enjoy the spring of Living Water that never ends.

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Amen.

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