1 August 2025

The life of the Good Shepherd has two attractive qualities. The first is compassion, a willingness to share the sufferings of others. This ministry is the fruit of that intimacy which exists between the shepherd and the sheep.

‘He calls his own sheep by name.’ says St. John. He knows their names. He knows our names. ‘Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you.’ says the Lord. ‘I have written your name on the palms of my hands.’ Compassion deepens when names are known.

The second is courage. ‘He calls his own sheep by name. ‘ says St. John, ‘and leads them out … to green pastures and still waters and through the valley of the shadow of death where we may fear no evil. Why not?

He has gone before us to give us an example. ‘When he was abused he did not return abuse. When he suffered, he did not threaten.’ says St. Pater. Consequently, we discover that by his wounds, we have been healed.

So the Good Shepherd’s abundant life is marked by compassion – a readiness to forget self and to reach out to share the sufferings of others and courage – a willingness to stand up for what is true, honourable, just, pure …