Christ, the Good Shepherd.

There are many religions but only one covenant God – Jesus Christ who entered into Heaven via the Cross, who Sacrificed himself and for our sake is fully present in his Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist. This is the New Covenant which we profess. He accepted rejection and death because He loved his people. He wishes to heal us and made us into his image. “It was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth … This is the only one by which we can be saved”. “Behold the great love that the father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God”. Our Good Shepherd interests for us: “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” Our Good Shepherd also reassures us: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”

We as His disciples we are called to imitate him in our love and care of one another. We will be able to fulfil our vocation when we continue to listen to him, to follow him, to receive him in the Most Precious Body and Blood. In this way our Lord, the Good Shepherd will lead us safely to Heaven. Because of that he teaches us: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends . “I am a good shepherd: the good shepherd is the one who lays down his life for his sheep… I know my own, and my own knows me…they listen to my voice…”

The image of Christ the Good Shepherd reminds us that we should pray for our priests, our shepherds. Finally, today the church provides us another good opportunity to pray for the Holy Father. We really need to pray for pope Francis so that he is faithful Vicar of Christ – the Good Shepherd.

Fr. Stan