May 16, 2011

John 10: 11-18

Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father.”

 For Today's Complete Readings Please go to USCCB

In so many ways this scripture reminds me of my own parents, who were and are both teachers by nature they care about everyone in general, and try to help all people they come in contact to learn and grow.  They both feel strongly about protecting children and people who are vulnerable.  When it comes to their own children, me and my brothers and sisters, there is a fierceness, an unfailing intensity, I know and have seen that my parents will do anything to keep me safe, and headed towards a stronger relationship with God.  In many ways I have seen them lay down their own lives for me.  Through them I have come to know Jesus.  I know that there is a love that strong, and I know that I belong to my parents, and they belong to God.  How loved that makes me feel.  I want to do this for my own children.  I am scared of it, like Jesus our Shepherd, and my parents, I may be called to lay down my life, for the sake of others, my children, my husband, my family, or to bring people to Christ.  Can I do that? 

 As a side discussion...As a single person looking for a job, and feeling passionate about my Faith, I wondered why there weren't more, or higher paying lay ministry positions in the Catholic Church.  I wish I had come upon this scripture earlier.  It makes sense to give people a small stipend for living expenses, but to pay well, I think might blur the lines between being a Shepherd and being a hired Shepherd.  One has to be passionate about ministry to do so.

 Jesus, help me to be a good Shepherd to my family.  Thank for loving me, for redirecting me when I stray, and for laying your life down so that I might continually return to your warm embrace.  Help me to stop worrying about my families material needs and focus on their spiritual emotional needs.  Jesus please fill in the gaps for me, fill my children with your love, help them really feel it, and know that you have are always there for them in times of joy and times of need.  Amen