Friars Corner: The Good Shepherd intimately cares for us

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalms 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:3-34

As we grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus, we may find this Good Shepherd image helpful and comforting. Doubleday’s Catholic Bible Dictionary, general editor, Scott Hahn, speaks about sheep herding. It was the most common profession in the ancient world. In the first book of the Bible, Genesis 4:2, the Cain and Able story, the latter was the first shepherd mentioned.

“The shepherd was often depicted as the self-sacrificing caretaker of sheep who was dedicated to their well-being, brought back strays, and kept them safe from the many dangers in the world.”

The Greatest Good Shepherd

As we look at the public ministry of Jesus, then and now, he is the “Greatest Good Shepherd.” He continues to raise up other shepherds. If they follow the heart of Jesus for his flock, they will be greatly rewarded. If not, they will be greatly punished.

Dear Holy Spirit, please give us your wisdom to understand Jesus as our Good Shepherd. St. Mark’s gospel today gives us some insights. The apostles with Jesus were so busy caring for the crowds that they couldn’t eat. Jesus took them aside to go to a quieter place where they could rest a while. Some people calculated the direction of the departing boat and ran around the lake bringing more people to get there when Jesus docked.

As Jesus disembarked, he saw the vast crowd. How did he respond? His heart was moved with pity for they were like sheep without a shepherd to guide them. He began to teach them many things. Can you picture Jesus caring for these people? Do you think Jesus also has a concern for us and our needs?

Psalm 23 is one of my favorites of the 150 Psalms. This psalm is easy to memorize, and it gives us images of how Jesus continues to care for us as we follow him. He leads us to verdant pastures and restful waters (perhaps a sunny beach) and refreshes our souls. This can happen in our prayer time. A busy mother may get a little rest time between caring for her young children.

Breakfast bread

If we seem to be in a dark place, Jesus is at our side to guide and protect us. Jesus also provides a table before us, each day, as he does all over the world. He invites us to come to Mass for our “daily bread,” usually at breakfast and he is our food. And we don’t have to pay for that meal. He fills us up with new graces and sends us from Mass to bring his goodness into a needy world.

In four of our sacraments, Jesus anoints us with oil, at baptism, confirmation, the anointing of the sick, and for priests, at their ordination. This is a real oil of gladness and grace for it does fill us up to overflowing. It could be compared to going to the gas station to get our gas tank filled so we can go from place to place. Jesus’ care for us here on earth is leading us on his right path so we can be with him after our faithful life, to be in heavenly glory.

Through faithful shepherds Jesus has raised up and anointed, we receive the care of Jesus. Priests are also human, not perfect, and working out their own salvation. They cannot do everything for us. If we find that one parish or another is not helping us grow, we can go to another Catholic church where there is a good shepherd.

Let us pray for one another. Have a joyful and comforting week near the heart of Jesus.

(© 2018 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)

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Nancy Ward

Nancy Ward writes about conversion, Christian community, and Catholicism. After earning a journalism degree, she worked for the Diocese of Dallas newspaper and the Archbishop Sheen Center for Evangelization, then began her own editing service. She’s a regular contributor to CatholicMom.com, SpiritualDirection.com, CatholicWritersGuild.com, NewEvangelizers.com and a contributing author to The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Now, through her Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies workshops, retreats, book, and DVD, she shares her conversion story at Catholic parishes and conferences, equipping others to share their own stories.

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