Good morning Digital Neighbors! Blessed Sunday and Happy Easter!!! Today we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday in the Gospel. Jesus speaks to us in the 10th chapter of St. John to share His role as the Good Shepherd that guides the flock. The bottom line for Jesus is that the Good Shepherd cares more for the sheep than himself. Jesus sets a very high bar to follow since He does lay down His life for the flock.
Most of humanity needs shepherding. I don’t know why God or nature designed it that way, but many people need help and guidance along the way. I have met many exceptions thanks to my vocation, but we often lament at Coffee Talk how complacent, compliant, and surrendering the general population is to the wanna-be shepherds in government, media, entertainment, education, big tech and big pharma. None of those groups care about the flock as individuals, only as a malleable mass to placate, manipulate and unleash.
Convenience, distraction, and comfort have numbed, pacified, or bored many into lives that are barely human. Many have sold the chance to be engaged with life for the easy comfort of “caretaking” by the State and its allies. The State proposes the outrage of the day, the issues to preoccupy our minds and all the unwritten rules of correct-think and right-feel. The unquestioning and uncritical masses place too much trust in those whose promises are self-serving at best.
Lordy that is dark! Sorry for the going down that road. Anyway, good shepherds should care for the flock and seek to guide them to better pastures and protect them from all the predators of the flock. There is a reason for the staff (a gun would be better) to both guide and protect the flock. Here are a few of the prayer and intention aids that guide my mind in shepherding.
Dedication to Jesus
May I have the eyes of Christ that I might see with His clarity and insight. May I have the ears of Christ that I might listen with His compassion and understanding. May I have the mouth of Christ that I might speak with His honesty and integrity. May I have the hands of Christ that I might touch with His healing and presence. May I have the mind of Christ that I might choose and act with His wisdom and awareness. May I have the Heart of Christ that I might love with his courage and humility.
Lord, send forth upon me the Holy Spirit that I may be strengthened by the gift of your sevenfold grace to carry out faithfully the work of the ministry.
May I excel in every virtue: in love that is sincere, in concern for the sick and the poor, in unassuming authority, in self-discipline, in holiness of life. May my conduct exemplify your commandments and lead your people to imitate my purity of life. May I remain strong and steadfast in Christ, giving witness to the world by a pure conscience. May I in this imitate Your Son, who came not to be served, but to serve, and one day reign with Him in heaven. (Adapted from Deacon Ordination)
Prayer should leave its stamp on a person’s total attitude toward life and make the one called into a kind loving person who infects others with his love. They ought not only feel loved, the question of love should awaken in them. “What is the nature of love that can transform a person in such a way? How could I myself acquire such a love? How did he ever come upon it?” Adriene Von Speyr
Regarding your disposition let the following be your guide:
· Be thankful for what you have. Don’t complain because things aren’t better, they could be worse.
· Be generous with your time, talents and your self. Give of your abundance.
· Be cautious in your judgment of others, better to error on the side of charity.
· Be read to listen and learn from others; maintain an open heart and eager mind.
· Learn to laugh; experience and express the joy of Christ’s love.
· Readily admit mistakes and forgive those who intentionally or accidentally harm you.
Regarding your attitude toward ministry and service let the following guide you:
Make every effort to be an effective communicator, one who first listens attentively before responding with clarity, courage, compassion, and charity.
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and pray for acceptance of what is to be.
Let no task that is asked of you be too lowly, let no challenge prove to be too great, rely on the grace of God in all things. Find Christ in those you meet, see Him in the best and worst of humanity.
