Christ, The Good Shepherd

“Without priests the Church would not be able to live that fundamental obedience which is at the very heart of her existence and her mission in history, an obedience in response to the command of Christ” (PDV, 1). Priests pattern their lives after Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who leads and protects his faithful by his authority and draws them to the truth.

Today is world day of prayer for vocations.  Concretely, we pray that our shepherds may draw more people to Christ by the renewal of their preaching. “A renewal of preaching can offer believers, as well as the lukewarm and the non-practising, new joy in the faith and fruitfulness in the work of evangelization” (EG, 11). May their good homilies and witness lead others to Christ. “The homily is the touchstone for judging a pastor’s closeness and ability to communicate to his people” (EG, 135).

Secondly, we pray for our shepherds who are now beset by weakness – physical, emotional, moral and spiritual. We need to kneel down for our pastors who are sick, unstable, struck and crushed. We need to pray for those who suffer rejection, temptation, blindness and discouragement in the ministry.

Lastly, we also pray for each one. Parents, teachers, civil leaders – everyone is called to become shepherds to one another.