Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. To be called a sheep is not a compliment. Sheep are sheepish, that is, backward and timid. Sheep can't even eat grass without destroying the field where the grass grows. That's one of the reasons they need shepherds to move them elsewhere. When Jesus called us "sheep," He implied that we weren't just weak but helpless. Apart from Him we can do nothing (Jn 15:5).
We sheep, who are so helpless, have a hard time living under the easiest circumstances. What will we do in difficult and dangerous circumstances? Thieves are coming "only to steal and slaughter and destroy" us (Jn 10:10). Wolves are trying to snatch, scatter, and kill us (Jn 10:12). Some of these wolves are in sheep's clothing (Mt 7:15), so some of those we consider our friends are actually our enemies. Furthermore, some of our shepherds upon whom we are counting to protect us are merely hired hands who will abandon us and leave us to be slaughtered (Jn 10:12).
We sheep are simple, weak, and in a "heap of trouble." Our only Hope is Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Follow Jesus.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, Good Shepherd, lead me through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23:4, RSV-CE). |
| PROMISE: | "See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God! Yet that is what we are." –1 Jn 3:1 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, Who holds "the keys of death and the nether world" (Rv 1:18). Praise You, Good Shepherd, that no one can snatch us out of Your hand (Jn 10:28). Alleluia forever! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College