3 June 2016 - a shepherd's heart

[ Today's Readings ]

Jesus calls to those who are lost today. 

What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?

We often feel like the one lost sheep when everyone else is doing just fine. If we are that sheep, Jesus is looking for us. If we were the shepherds we might be content to have the ninety-nine in our own flocks, but not Jesus. His purpose is to seek and save the lost (see Luke 19:10). He rejoices to find them.

Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.

He is not content to leave us in the hands of shepherds who don't truly love us. He is not content to see us used for the benefit of others when it suits them and then neglected when it does not.

I myself will look after and tend my sheep.

He wants to be close to his sheep. He insists that shepherds be shepherds after his own heart (see Jeremiah 3:15). He loves us too much to let us be scattered. He loves us too much to make us fend for ourselves when it is cloudy and dark. He knows that without him we become fearful. So he does not leave us alone or on our own.

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.

But there is a word of caution here.

the sleek and the strong I will destroy

We have to be humble enough to let him shepherd us. We have to be willing to let him bring us back when we stray. We must not persist in obstinance when we are lost. He is willing to do whatever is necessary. But he will do it only if we allow it.

If we let him bring us back he will help us learn to not to go astray again. It may be painful. The practice of shepherds is sometimes to have to break the legs of the sheep so that it cannot stray. He carries it on his back so that it learns to remain near him. 

And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy

But the result is worth it. If some of our the freedom of the flesh is lost we gain ever more freedom of spirit.

The love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

So let us rejoice in the love of our shepherd today. If we are weary, he offers repose and restful waters. If we are fearful, he offers comfort and courage. He sets before us the banquet of his own Body and Blood and anoints us with the oil of gladness, the Holy Spirit. With him as our shepherd there is nothing we shall want.