For deeper reflection on the Good Shepherd:

 

Macrina Wiederkehr wrote the following about our approach to reading sacred texts:

"In the monastic way of abiding with the Word we do not read the text to obtain information. The careful reading of the text is for the purpose of opening our hearts to be formed by the Word of God. We listen to the words so carefully that even our reading becomes a prayer."

I encourage you to spend some time in your own reflection, abiding with the image of the Good Shepherd. You could choose one of the following passages to work with more deeply, or you could work with all of them over a number of days.

 

Luke 15:1-7

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

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From A Book of Hours, by Thomas Merton:

Good Shepherd, You have a wild and crazy sheep in love with thorns and brambles. But please don't get tired of looking for me! I know You won't. For You have found me. All I have to do is stay found.

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From A Testament to Devotion, by Thomas Kelly:

There is a deeper, an internal simplification of the whole of one’s personality, stilled, tranquil, in childlike trust listening ever to Eternity’s whisper, walking with a smile into the dark. This amazing simplification comes when we “centerdown,” when life is lived with singleness of eye, from a holy Center where the breath and stillness of Eternity are heavy upon us and we are wholly yielded to Him. …  Hasten unto Him who calls you in the silences of your heart. The Hound of Heaven is ever near us, the voice of the Shepherd is calling us home.

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Isaiah 40:11:

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
 He gathers the lambs in his arms
   and carries them close to his heart;
   he gently leads those that have young.”

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From the writings of St Therese of Liseux: 

“What pleases God in my little soul . . . is that He sees me loving my littleness, my poverty, the blind hope I have in His mercy”

“I remember that little children are as pleasing to their parents when they are asleep as well as when they are wide awake”

“O Jesus, Your little bird is happy to be weak and little. What would become of it if it were big? Never would it have the boldness to appear in Your presence, to fall asleep in front of You.”

“"Whosoever is a little one, come to me." It is your arms, Jesus, that are the lift to carry me to heaven. And so there is no need for me to grow up: I must stay little and become less and less.”

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Psalm 23 from Psalms for Praying, by Nan Merrill:

O my Beloved, you are my shepherd, I shall not want;
You bring me to green pastures for rest
and lead me beside still waters, renewing my spirit,
You restore my soul.
You lead me in the path of goodness to follow Love’s way.

Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow and of death, I am not afraid;
For You are ever with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they guide me,
they give me strength and comfort.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of all my fears;
you bless me with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the heart
of the Beloved
forever.

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