Good Shepherd Redux

The following scripture passage is today’s Gospel reading for the Mass in the traditional calendar (source). It is a message from Our Savior that never fails to invigorate and engender hope:

At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”   John 10:11-16

If you have not received the sacrament of Baptism, you may call your local Catholic church to determine the steps necessary to receive it. This sacrament will enable you to become one of the sheep of Christ. In Baptism you will become, literally, one of his “own.”  It is a great privilege, and honor, to receive Baptism, and to join the company of the Church, the living and the dead.  It is a gift to be shepherded by the Good Shepherd.

A faithful source of teaching on the sacraments is the Baltimore Catechism. Here is a link to the section on the sacraments: Baltimore Catechism on Baptism.

Have a beautiful day!

•SCF