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