Every heart can find peace, purpose, and comfort in His voice
by Sister Ann Rehrauer
When I ask people about their favorite psalm, most of them cite the 23rd psalm – “the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” When I ask the reason for their choice, some respond that it’s the one they know best because they hear it in church and especially at funerals. Others indicate that even for city folk, the image of shepherd brings with it a sense of peace and serenity (green pastures in a quiet countryside), security (someone they trust to lead and protect them), and tenderness (the image of the shepherd carrying the little lamb on his shoulders).
When I think of an image for myself, I must admit that being a “sheep” does not immediately come to mind. I wasn’t raised on a farm, so I have no particular affinity for sheep. And in fact, my sense of independence shuns the image of a sheep mindlessly being led by someone, and maybe his dog. And yet – we know we are not independent -- we all receive life from God, our lives have meaning and purpose because of our relationship with God, and when at our best, we try to listen to the voice of the Shepherd calling us to be our best.
The shepherd image in Sunday's Scripture can be very comforting – even for those of us who prize our independence. It’s a popular biblical description for God (Ez 34:1-9, Is. 61, 1 Kg 22, Mt. 10:6 ) who is a Good Shepherd in contrast to some bad shepherds who were religious or political leaders at the time. Jesus also called himself the Good Shepherd – the one who upholds the weak, who knows and loves those in his care, who seeks out those who have strayed, and willingly lays down his life for “his sheep.”
This weekend we celebrate what is sometimes called Good Shepherd Sunday because of the imagery in the readings. It is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. And in our country, we will celebrate Mother’s Day. All these celebrations come together as we pray for men and women who will pastor and care for our faith life, and for our Moms who have given us life and nurtured and protected that life even to the present.
On May 8, Cardinal Robert Prevost was chosen as our next Pope. This weekend I urge all of us to pray in gratitude for the gift of Pope Francis who has been our beloved shepherd, and to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten our new Pope -- Leo XIV -- to be the Shepherd our Church needs at this time.
Thank you for your reflections on the Good Shepherd. So much to celebrate - the Good Shepherd, Mother's Day and Pope Leo XIV!