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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.