Tag Archives: Shepherd

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

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The Sacred Heart of Jesus beats with a shepherd’s love. For while we were still sinners, Christ died for us; and like the shepherd who leaves the 99 other sheep, the Lord looks for us when we stray.

Mass Readings – Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: The Lord shepherds us. Catholic Inspiration

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Both Isaiah and the Gospel of Matthew reveal that God cares for us like a zealous shepherd who guards the sheep. May we trust in the Lord to lead and guide us through this life to the next.

Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

St. Ambrose…pray for us!


Study, Pray, Serve: 16th Sunday of the Year

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Here are some of the main themes in the readings on this 16th Sunday of the Year.

1st Reading – Jeremiah 23:1-6

  • Woe to the shepherds that mislead and scatter the flock.
  • God will appoint shepherds who will protect the flock, and none shall be missing.

Psalm – 23:1-6

  • “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
  • God guides, protects and leads us to the Lord’s house, our final dwelling.

2nd Reading – Ephesians 2:13-18

  • Christ is our lasting peace, reconciling us to God through the Cross.
  • We are no longer far off, but have now drawn near through the blood of Christ.

Gospel – Mark 6:30-34

  • Having reported all that they have done, Christ invites the apostles to come away and rest.
  • Crowds follow Jesus, and he takes pity on them…for they were like sheep without a shepherd.

Mass Readings – 16th Sunday of the Year

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Study, Pray, Serve: 4th Sunday of Easter

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Study: What do the readings say?

Pray: What do the readings say to me?

Serve: What do the readings make me do or say…today?

Let’s take a look at some of the main themes that we find in the Scripture readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter, often known as Good Shepherd Sunday.

1st Reading – Acts 4:8-12

  • Peter preaches the Good News immediately after a healing miracle.
  • Jesus Christ is “the stone rejected by the builders, which has become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118)

Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29

  • This psalm is quoted by St. Peter in the passage of Acts.
  • God’s power and might transcends human limitations.

2nd Reading – 1 John 3:1-2

  • The baptized are “children of God” and have the same relationship as the first disciples.
  • Our relationship with the Father is in opposition with the world.
  • There is more to be revealed, and then we shall be like him and see him as he truly is.

Gospel – John 10:11-18

  • The Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.
  • There are “wolves” who catch and scatter the sheep.
  • The sheep (disciples) know the Lord, who also goes out and serves “other sheep” as well.

Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Easter

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

Note: This post was first published on April 19, 2021.


The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe. Catholic Inspiration

Transept of St. John Lateran Basilica

On this feast of our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, we follow Him as our shepherd in this life…so that we will be ready to be judged by Him in the next.

Mass Readings – The Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe


Daily Mass: The Lord guards us like a shepherd. Catholic Inspiration

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Guided and guarded by God, we grow in grace so as to give ourselves in service to one another.

Mass Readings – Friday of the 16th Week of the Year


4th Sunday of Easter: The call of the Shepherd.

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Study: Consider a time when your drifted in your convictions and faith.  What helped you get back on track?

Pray: Is there something keeping you from the Lord or another person?  Pray for the grace to reconcile.

Serve: Do you know others who are struggling with their faith?  How can you support their journey back to God?

Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Easter

Themes of repentance, baptism, and sheep surface this week.  Take a look:

  • 1st Reading – Peter exhorts the crowd to repent and be baptized
  • Psalm – “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.”
  • 2nd Reading – Christ bore our sins on the Cross, for we were like straying sheep
  • Gospel – The Lord is the gate for the sheep; we must pass through Him

The Scriptures speak of Jesus as both Shepherd and Gate.  Why?  Because like sheep sometimes we find ourselves in trouble, unprotected, abandoned, and in need of serious help.  The shepherd guards and guides the sheep; entry through the gate allows the sheep to pass into a place of safety.

Our human need for help arises from our sins.  While the joy of this Easter season is ringing in our hearts, we still take the time to call to mind our need for the Savior – the Good Shepherd – who offers his life for us.  Indeed, it is the saving death and resurrection of Jesus that we proclaim in every Baptism, Confession, and Eucharist…sacraments that many receive in this holy season.

Knowing that the Lord has freed us from sin and death, we can honestly acknowledge our sins and joyfully offer our gratitude – running to the Lord for the grace and strength we need.

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

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Note: This post was first published on May 1, 2017.


Daily Mass: The Lord is my shepherd. Catholic Inspiration

The 23rd Psalm holds a special place in the hearts of many, and for good reason; these words have brought comfort and guidance for thousands of years…and may they do so in ours today.

Mass Readings – Saturday of the 6th Week of the Year

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: God seeks what is lost and rejoices when it is found. Catholic Inspiration

Jesus reveals how God looks at us in our wounded and vulnerable state.  Seeking what is lost and rejoicing when found, the Lord thus teaches us how to relate to one another.

Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


4th Sunday of Easter: The Lord is my shepherd. Catholic Inspiration

Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Easter

In our moments of need we can learn from the Psalmist and say “The Lord is my shepherd” as we face the challenges of life.  What’s more, as we follow Jesus Christ we offer our lives to help one another to seek the Lord as well.

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


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