The Good Shepherd
Do you know the peace and security of the Good Shepherd who watches over
his own flock? The Old Testament often speaks of God as shepherd of his people,
Israel. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall
not want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear, O
Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1) We are his people, and the sheep of his
pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of
God's people: He will feed his flock like
a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus says
he is the Good Shepherd who will risk
his life to seek out and save the sheep who are in danger because they have
wandered from the fold (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4). He is the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1
Peter 2:25).
Jesus made three promises to his followers. He promised them everlasting
life. If they accept him and follow him, they will have the life of God in them.
Jesus also promised them a life that would know no end. Death would not be the
end but the beginning; they would know the glory of indestructible life. Jesus
promised a life that was secure. Jesus said that nothing would snatch them out
of his hand, not even sorrow and death, since he is everlasting life itself.
Our lives are safe in his hands. The security Jesus offers is an abiding
relationship with the living God, and membership with his flock, the people of
God. Jesus also promises the security of peace and protection from evil and the
greatest harm that could befall us – eternal destruction. The Lord does not
spare us from all trouble. In this life we will experience pain, suffering,
sickness, and death. But through these the Lord will lead us to ultimate
victory and safety in his everlasting home. Even in the midst of our sufferings
we can find a peace and security which no one can give except God alone. We can
confidently follow the Lord wherever he leads, trusting that nothing can keep
us from God if we surrender our lives to him. A good question to ask ourselves
is: Have we placed our lives securely in God where it belongs?
"Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. In you we place all our
hope and we entrust ourselves to you completely. Increase our confidence in
your saving grace and in your abiding presence."
A note about my journey: Well it has been just over a week since I left
the hospital after my first surgery on my right side. I am beginning to walk
not too badly now on that side. It does get a little better each day with
physiotherapy and walks outside. I am currently residing in Whitby Ontario with
friends in a condo with no stairs to climb. Stairs are out for me at the
moment. My second surgery is tentatively scheduled for May 2nd and will
be less intense than the first one. It’s always good to get the worst one out
of the way. After the second surgery, I am considering entering a marathon of
one kind or another – just kidding!!
I am still unsure whether I will be able to come to Mississauga for the
concert tomorrow evening. Either way, I would like to wish all the performers
and musicians well and thank all of you who are able to attend and support this
event. Thanks to those who will set up the reception afterwards and to all the
students of St. Paul Secondary School who helped make this evening a reality.
It is great to see our young people involved in the parish!!
Looking
forward to seeing you soon!
Fr.
Phil
