St. Matthew Catholic Church

Weekly Message     

         Shepherding: Guiding and Guarding

Dear brothers and sisters,  

     This weekend we celebrate “The Good Shepherd Sunday and The World day of Vocations.” I wish you the protection and the blessings of Good Shepherd in your life; and invite you pray for more vocations to priesthood and religious life to guard and guide God’s people.

     We are being shepherded by Jesus Himself; and we are also called to be shepherding others beginning from our families - spouse, children, brothers, sisters and friends. So, what is shepherding?

     Two people were watching a man drive a herd of sheep through the main street of a small town. “I thought shepherds led sheep. I didn’t know they drove them with a whip.” “They do,” the other man remarked. “That’s not a shepherd. That’s the town’s butcher.”

     Shepherd needs a compassionate heart to know each one of them and understand their needs - and care for them with a nurturing heart: Looking for a nourishing pasture to thrive and grow for the people entrusted to him/her.

     In order to protect, the shepherd needs to be vigilant, and strong - not only physically, but above all spiritually, mentally living in wisdom, knowing the good and bad alike and protecting the sheep from the bad.; and not let anyone be lost; but if some one is lost, seek him/her and bring them back to the flock, family or community, or to God. This needs a heart that cares, with much love and compassion.

     We do see some wrong shepherds, then and now, who don’t follow the Good Shepherd. The Lord says, “Don’t follow them.” They are butchers, thieves - they drive you and control you to disaster and steal you. Read Psalm 23 and read it as a personal psalm to understand the qualities of a Good Shepherd and your shepherding others. Be a blessing, be a shepherd.  Blessings!

Msgr. Xavier                       
                                       Please pray for vocations to the priesthood &
                                               for the Priests of our Diocese

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