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Lunette of the Good Shepherd, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, Ravenna (Italy)

By Rev. Diana Boland

ON THE SECOND  Sunday of this month, we celebrate “Good Shepherd Sunday.”

All the readings will relate in some way to Jesus being our ‘good shepherd.’ Jesus himself says “I am the good shepherd: A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus laid down his life for us on the cross and he gathers his faithful flock around the cross saying, “when I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself.”

Jesus also says that he will protect us from the wolves. The wolves are those who want to destroy the shepherd and scatter the sheep. Anyone who seeks to create division among the flock is a wolf. In the face of this, Jesus prays that we all be one, and he promises that there will be “one flock, one shepherd.”

Jesus calls us by name and when he calls, we must follow. He leads us to green pastures, while others seek to lead us to places that are not so life-giving. Jesus is the Good Shepherd whose voice we must always hear, who’s cross we must always gather around, and who’s lead we must always take.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

A prayer from the Church of Scotland

Good Shepherd, watch over us today, In all we face and experience. 
Never leave us or forsake us and journey with us always.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Good Shepherd, you know us as no-one else knows us.
Guard us and keep us, As you guard and keep those whom we love.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Good Shepherd, we pray for the sick and the lonely.
For the anxious and the bereaved, for those whose pain is beyond our comprehension.
We stand with them and commend them to your care.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Good Shepherd, you know the depths of our heart and the fears which are ours.
Speak into the depths of our heart and calm our fears.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Good Shepherd, you know us by our name and our identity is not hidden from you.
Gather us to yourself as a shepherd gathers the sheep, that we might know your Name.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.            

Amen.

Rev. Diana Boland is an AFP Executive and Priest-in-Charge and Curate Rector of St. James' Church, St. Marys.