Christ Our Shepherd

Early one morning, I walked along a rural road, enjoying the cool air before the summer sun rose.

Suddenly, I became aware of a rustling in the field beside me. I peered into the darkness and saw the dim outlines of perhaps a hundred sheep.

Apparently mistaking me for their shepherd, the sheep had decided to follow me.

As I strode along the road, the sheep trotted in the field beside me until a fence stopped them.

They could still see me, but they could no longer follow me. I heard their plaintive bleats growing fainter and fainter as I continued my walk.

The Bible often compares us to sheep.

Like sheep, we may go astray by following someone who is not our shepherd.

Like sheep, we are easily frightened when venturing into unfamiliar territory.

Like sheep, we need a shepherd to guide us, to protect us, to lead us to clean water and green pastures.

Christ is our shepherd. He does not walk away from us, leaving us bewildered and forlorn.

He does not wait for us to come to him, but comes to us and teaches us the ways of God: kindness, compassion and courage in the face of opposition and adversity. Listening to Jesus, we find our way.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, shepherd, guide us through each day. Keep us from straying from the ways of God. Amen