Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Green Bay, WI
Reflection for May 3, 2020

Reflection for May 3, 2020

Finding the courage to say 'yes' to God

The Good Shepherd is with us wherever we are called 

by Sister Lynne Marie Simonich

For Sunday's World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis tells us: “Dear friends, on this day in particular, I ask the Church to continue to promote vocations. May she touch the hearts of the faithful and enable each of them to discover with gratitude God’s call in their lives, to find courage to say 'yes' to God, to overcome all weariness through faith in Christ, and to make of their lives a song of praise for God, for their brothers and sisters, and for the whole world. May the Virgin Mary accompany us and intercede for us.” (Click here for Pope’s entire message.)

This day of prayer for vocations falls on Good Shepherd Sunday and is a good time to reflect on the care Jesus has for each one of us. In our Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus tells us that shepherds name their sheep and call them by name. The sheep recognize only their shepherd’s voice and will not follow anyone else. Shepherds will risk their lives to protect their sheep. They lead their flock to pastures and life-giving water. They make sure the sheep are safe at night and protected from wolves or strangers. What a comforting image for all of us.

What does the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd say to you in your life?

Pray the 23rd Psalm slowly and remember that Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures he makes me lie down;
to still waters he leads me, he restores my soul.

He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me.

You set a table before me in front of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days.

(Psalm 23 from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23)

3 Comments

Fr. Bill Jacobs
05/01/2020 6:50 am

Very Nice, Sister!

Your comments are so very appropriate as we pray daily for more Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate & Religious Life!

May God Bless all of you Good Sisters during this troubling times.

In God's Never-ending Love & Mercy,

Father Bill Jacobs

Linda
05/01/2020 8:31 am

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm23&version=NRSVCE;ISV;ICB;NLT;TLB

It is always helpful and exceedingly interesting to me to look up particular Bible passages - whether in psalms, proverbs, stories, prophets, gospel accounts - through a site like Biblegateway.com which allows me to see a number of translations all at one time, and compare - or contrast - the nuances of words that are used to describe and tell of the experience, the message. Psalm 23 is an excellent example of taking a most familiar 'prayer' and doing just that.

Verse 2, for example - I take notice of a word change that gives a completely different 'feel' to the experience: "He makes me lie down .." "He causes me to lie down ..." "He gives me rest ..." "He lets me rest ..."

Verse 6: "...goodness and mercy shall follow me ..." "...goodness and gracious love will pursue me ..." ".. your goodness and love will be with me..." ".. your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me ..." "Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life..."

When I 'pray with' each translation, I get a more complete, comprehensive, holistic experience in my prayer. I find this way of 'praying with Scripture' to be very grace-filled. I 'see' the meaning in 'new' ways; I experience greater fullness of the presence-of-God (comfort, strength, wisdom, guidance, correction, understanding, support, compassion, forgiveness, etc ....) through this kind of 'prayer.'

Sr. Rose Jochmann
05/02/2020 5:06 pm

Wonderful reflections for Good Sheperd Sunday. Ps. 23 is a favorite!

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