I am The Good Shepherd

Dear Diary,

This morning it was 53 degrees when Robert picked up Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me at the mailbox for Holy Mass at St. Mary’s.

At Mass, Father LeRoy read today’s holy Gospel from Saint John, where Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd.” Father said that Our Lord did not only say He would watch over His sheep, but that He would lay down His life for them. That made the whole church feel very still to me, because it means Jesus did not love us from far away. He came close to us, knew us, and gave Himself for us.

Father LeRoy explained that a hired man runs away when danger comes, because the sheep do not really belong to him. But Jesus never runs away from us. He sees every wolf that frightens our souls, every temptation, every sorrow, and every danger. He stays. He guards. He calls us by name. Sister Mary Claire said that is why we must learn His voice in prayer, in the Gospel, and in our conscience, so we will not follow strange voices that lead us away.

On the way home, Robert said he liked how Father LeRoy explained that Jesus laid down His life freely. Nobody forced Him. He gave His life because He loved us. Sister Mary Claire said that is one of the most beautiful parts of the Gospel, because Our Lord is not only strong enough to save us, but loving enough to want to save us.

I held Mini close and thought about sheep knowing their shepherd. Mini knows my voice even when I speak softly, and she comes running when I call her. I hope my soul can be like that with Jesus. I hope I will know His voice right away, and not wait until I am lost or frightened.

Tonight I am thankful that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep, and He knows me too.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, my Good Shepherd, please keep me close to You. Help me hear Your voice and follow You every day. Do not let me run after strange voices or wander away from Your love. Watch over Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Father LeRoy, Mini, and all Your sheep tonight. Amen.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 10:11-18

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Good Shepherd Sunday

Dear Diary,

Robert picked the three of us up for church this morning—Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me—and we were glad to be together for Holy Mass at St. Mary’s. Mini sat close and behaved so nicely, as if she knew it was Good Shepherd Sunday.

Father LeRoy read the holy Gospel from Saint John, where Jesus says that the sheep know the shepherd’s voice and follow him because he calls them by name. He said Our Lord was teaching us that He is the Shepherd who knows every soul. Jesus does not frighten us or trick us. He calls us lovingly, and He walks before us so we will know the way.

After Mass, Sister Mary Claire explained it some more. She said Jesus also called Himself the gate for the sheep. A gate keeps danger out, but it also opens to good pasture. That made me think how safe it is to belong to Jesus. He is the way in, the way out, and the One who gives life to our souls.

On the way home, I thought about Mini too. She knows my voice right away, even if I only say her name softly. If a stranger called her, she would not trust it the same way. Sister said our souls should be like that with Jesus. We must listen for His voice in prayer, in the Gospel, and in the Church, and not run after voices that lead us away from Him.

This afternoon I thought I would have to keep waiting for Sister to translate the next prayer for me, because old German words take time, of course, and Sister never hurries holy things. But then she surprised me. She came to my desk with her gentle smile and said she had something ready after all. It was the 23rd Psalm, though in the old German Catholic Bible it is called Psalm 22.

I could hardly believe it, because that is the very psalm about the Lord being my Shepherd. Sister had written it in simple English for me, so I could understand it and record it in my own little voice. She said sometimes Our Lord gives a person just the right prayer on just the right day, and I think He did today. It felt as if Good Shepherd Sunday had followed me all the way home from St. Mary’s and right into my room.

So I set the tape recorder on my desk, smoothed the paper with both hands, and practiced the words softly. Mini lay nearby, with her little ears listening, and I thought how beautiful it is that Jesus can lead souls with a voice quieter than the wind in the grass.

Tonight I feel glad that Jesus knows His sheep by name. Even little me.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, my Good Shepherd, thank You for calling me by name and staying close to me. Help me know Your voice and follow You. Keep me safe at Your gate, and lead me always to the green pasture of Your grace. Bless Sister Mary Claire, Father LeRoy, Robert, and Mini. Amen.

Love,

Kathy

He Stays With Us

Dear Diary,

This morning was soft and cool, about 58 degrees, with a quiet sky over the fields. Robert picked us up as usual and right on time at the mailbox, and Mini hopped right up onto my lap like she always does. We rode down the gravel road to St. Mary’s in Littlemore, and everything felt still and peaceful, like the day was waiting for something important.

At Holy Mass, Father LeRoy talked about something that stayed with me all day. He said Jesus didn’t just promise to help us from far away… He promised to stay with us. Not an angel, not just a memory—but Jesus Himself. That made me sit up a little straighter in the pew. I tried to imagine that… that the same Jesus who made everything and conquered death is still right here with us.

Father said that means we are never really alone. Even when things are hard, or we feel worried, Jesus is right there, watching over us, thinking of us, and helping us. He said Jesus knows all our little thoughts and sees even the small things we try to do for Him—and that He is pleased when we try.

On the ride home, Sister Mary Claire explained it in a way I could understand even better. She said, “Kathy, if Jesus is truly with us all the time, then every moment matters. Even the quiet ones.” Robert nodded and said it’s like having the best protector you could ever imagine riding along with you always.

I held Mini close and looked out at the fields. Everything looked so ordinary, but it didn’t feel ordinary anymore. It felt like Jesus was there too… in the fields, in the sky, even right there in the truck with us.

I think if I remembered that more, I wouldn’t worry so much about little things. I’d try harder to be good too, knowing He sees and cares.

Tonight, I want to remember that He didn’t just promise to come back someday—He promised to stay.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

thank You for staying with me and never leaving me alone.
Help me remember You are near, especially when I feel small or worried.

Please watch over me tonight and help me love You better tomorrow.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

His Power Is Gentle

Dear Diary,

It was a lovely day today, soft and bright, and just right for going to Holy Mass. Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and Mini came along too, sitting so nicely like she always does.

Father LeRoy talked about how Jesus has all power in heaven and on earth—not just because He is God, but also because He became man and gave His life for us. He said Jesus doesn’t use His power to force anyone, but instead waits for us to love Him back freely. I liked that part very much. It made me think of how kind He is, even though He could do anything at all.

On the ride home, Robert, Sister Mary Claire and I talked about it some more. Robert said how comforting it is to know that nothing can happen to us unless Jesus allows it, and that He is always watching over us. It made the fields look extra peaceful somehow, like everything was being gently taken care of.

I’ve been excited because Sister Mary Claire helped me understand a morning prayer from the old book, and I made a little recording of it on the tape recorder. It felt special saying the words out loud like that.

Mini is doing just fine—she was very good in church and seemed happy all day.

It was a quiet, beautiful day, and I feel very safe in Jesus’ care tonight.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

You are so strong and so gentle at the same time.

Help me to trust You with my whole heart and to follow You freely because I love You.

Please watch over us tonight and keep us safe in Your care.

Amen.

Love,
Kathy

A Gentle Morning with an Old Prayer

 

Dear Diary,

Last night I made another recording from this very old prayer book—the one Sister and I have been working on together. It was printed such a long, long time ago, back in 1776, in a place called Augsburg in Germany. The pages are worn and soft now, and all the words were written in German, so Sister has been helping me translate them.

This little prayer is called a Morning Prayer, and I like to think someone else once said these same words long ago, maybe just starting their day like I was this morning, trusting God the same way. It makes me feel like we are not alone when we pray…like our voices are joined with theirs somehow.

I think I would like to remember this prayer each morning, the way it was written so long ago, and try to mean it more each day.

Dear God…

I praise You…Father… Son… and Holy Ghost.
I come before You…
with a humble heart…
because You are…
my true… and living God.

I believe in You…
because You are always true.

I hope in You…
because You are full of mercy.

And I love You
more than anything…

because You are…
the greatest good.

Amen.

Jesus Always Keeps His Promises

Dear Diary,

This morning was chilly, about 52 degrees, and the air felt fresh when we walked out to the mailbox. Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and Mini came along, sitting close to me like she always does. The fields looked quiet and a little gray in the early light, like everything was just waking up.

At Holy Mass, Father LeRoy talked about how Jesus always keeps His promises. He said that when Jesus told His disciples He would see them again, He truly meant it—and He did just what He said. Father explained it in a simple way so I could understand: he said Jesus never forgets, never changes His mind, and never breaks His word. Not even a little promise.

That made me think. Sometimes I say I will do something good—like be patient or say my prayers better—but then I forget or get tired. Father said even the smallest good thing, like giving someone a cup of water, matters to Jesus and will never be lost. That made me feel comforted, like even my little efforts count.

On the ride home, I held Mini and thought about how kind Jesus is to remind us that being merciful and helping others will lead us to heaven. Father said we shouldn’t be afraid all the time, but instead remember that Jesus wants to reward us and help us do good.

I want to try harder to keep my promises to Jesus, just like He keeps His promises to me.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for always keeping Your promises, even when I forget mine.
Help me to be faithful in little things, and not give up when I feel tired.
Please forgive me for the times I have not done what I said I would do.
Make my heart steady and true, like Yours.
And help me remember that even small acts of love matter to You.

Amen.

Love, Kathy

The Lord's Prayer 

Quick Trip to Indian Creek

Dear Diary,

This morning at Mass, Father LeRoy talked about how Jesus told Peter that one day he would follow Him even all the way to the cross. Peter loved Jesus very much, but he was still a little afraid because he remembered how he had failed before. Father said Jesus didn’t tell him this to scare him, but to comfort him, and to show him that his love would grow strong enough to carry even a heavy cross.

On the ride home, I kept thinking about that. Father said there are two kinds of crosses—ones we choose for love of Jesus, like little sacrifices, and ones that come to us that we didn’t choose at all. Those are harder, but they count so much when we carry them patiently. I tried to understand that in my own little way. Maybe it means being cheerful when things don’t go just right, or waiting quietly when I want something very much.

And oh, I am waiting! I am so excited to make more tape recordings of prayers, but I have to wait for the mailman to bring my new tape cassettes. I keep listening for his truck and watching down the road. I’m trying to be patient about it, offering that waiting up to Jesus like Father said. Maybe even that can be a little cross.

Before dark, Mini and I hurried down to the cave. The air was getting cool and still, and everything felt quiet like the day was folding up. Shaggy Coat was there by the water, and when he saw us, he didn’t run away. I knelt down very slowly, and he let me pet his little head. His fur felt soft and damp, and I gave him a carrot which he took so gently. It made my heart feel so warm, like a tiny secret friendship.

Walking back, I thought about Peter again. Maybe loving Jesus means staying close to Him, even when things are hard or when we don’t understand everything yet. Just like following a path through the woods, one step at a time.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

please help me to love You like Peter did, even when I feel small or unsure.

Teach me to carry my little crosses patiently and to offer them to You with a quiet heart.

Bless the mailman on his way, and thank You for the joy of small things, like kind animals and peaceful evenings.

Stay close to me, dear Jesus, and help me always to follow You.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy,

The Lord's Prayer