Morning Message: May 11

In today’s Gospel reading we hear Jesus call himself the Good Shepherd.   As the Good Shepherd, Jesus knows his sheep and he protects them from harm.  Jesus uses these images to communicate how he cares for each of us.

A reading from the holy gospel according to John.

Jesus, said, “I am the gate.  Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care 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.”

Think about this silently in your heart.  We know that Jesus is trustworthy.  How do you experience his love and protection?

If you choose to have a pet, it is a big responsibility.  You must be willing to take care of it. You have to feed it and make sure it has plenty of water.  You must keep it clean and take it to the veterinarian when it is sick.  You have to make sure your pet is kept in a safe place and, if it wanders off and gets lost, you must go and look for it and bring it back home.

As I think about having a pet and taking care of it, I am reminded about something that Jesus said about himself.   Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd." A shepherd is a person who takes care of sheep. Sheep can't take care of themselves. They need someone to watch over them and care for them. They need someone to protect them from harm. Jesus said he knows his sheep and his sheep know him. He said that he was even willing to lay down his life for his sheep. Jesus must really love his sheep!

As you might have guessed, Jesus wasn't really talking about sheep.  He was talking about you and me.  We are his "sheep."  He loves us, he takes care of us, he makes sure that we have everything that we need.  He was even willing to give his life so that you and I could live with him forever in heaven.

There is no doubt about it. Jesus really loves his sheep!

Dear Jesus, we are thankful to you for being our Good Shepherd.  Thank you for loving us and taking care of us.  Most of all, we thank you for laying down your life for us so that we can have everlasting life in heaven with you. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen

Boys and girls, it looks like it’s going to be a raining Monday, but the rest of the week looks like we are going to have nice weather, maybe even into the 80s by Friday.  I hope you have a wonderful week.