Wednesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)
Mystery of the day: Glorious
Table of the Word: Ezekiel 34:1-11; Matthew 20:1-16
Theme: Be Shepherd.
"For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out." (Ezekiel 34:11)
Beloved in Christ, the call to shepherd the flock of Christ is for every baptised Christians. Though some may think that, only priests, teachers of faith (catechists), evangelists or people of this magnitude with special call are the shepherd. Absolutely, no. The call is for all, but in different cadre. The father of the house, has within his reach sheep entrusted to his care namely: the wife, children and other members of that household, so same with the mother or wife as the case may be. A teacher whose duty is to teach and direct pupils or students in his care has the responsibility to see to the welfare of these people without an iota of sentiment. Some pastors are victims of this ill-development even in the temple, where the flock are being shepherd for sordid money as St. Peter warns:
"shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness." (I Peter 5:2)
Sadly, in most cases the reverse is the case as the shepherd himself turn around to be wolf against his sheep. He feeds from the sweat and tears of his sheep. The loud cry of his sheep becomes a canticle or psalm for him.
Today, these beautiful words of reminder is being reechoed in our hears, inviting us to revamp our strength in shepherding the flock entrusted to our care. And our failure to do the needful, then we will be relieved from the service as Prophet Ezekiel announced today in the first reading:
For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out." (Ezekiel 34:11)
May we go about seeking for the missing sheep under our care, bandaging the wounded ones, feeding those hungry, quenching their thirst in the desert, so that when the Chief Shepherd appears we may be rewarded accordingly. Peace! Be with you.
Let us pray
Eternal Word and good Shepherd, we thank You for the love and care we have received. We beg of Thee to forgive us of our trespasses and failings against the flock entrusted to our care. And grant us the grace to be more shepherd than we were and are.Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 17082022
:
Peace! Be with you.
Let us pray
. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 17082022
And with your spirit.
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