PARADOXICAL

God is my Good Shepherd, and I am His sheep, destined for the heavenly pasture. Though I belong to a large flock, God knows me inside and out. He calls me by name. He feeds me, takes care of me.

This sheep tries its best to listen to the voice of my Shepherd. I constantly sift through the sounds of the pasture, to distinguish between His voice and the confusion of noises. I am always drawn to His voice because I know in my heart it is the voice of Love. I choose to listen to that Voice, so I always stay safe among his sheep and not get lost with the goats outside the fields of green. I want to remain with my Shepherd, for He is the true Shepherd -- the rest are impostors awaiting to entrap me.

As the Shepherd's own, I am bound to live in imitation of Him together with His flock. I seek the path of peace. I extend my hand in friendship. I am ever-ready to forgive. With the wisdom of the Shepherd, and His grace, I know how to do what is beyond a sheep to do. He shows me the right way to being an obedient sheep.

One thing great about being the sheep of the Good Shepherd is availing of the Shepherd's generous provision. "He lets this sheep lie down in green pastures, wanting for nothing," as the song said.

In case I lose my way, He goes out of His way to find His one lost sheep, leaving the other ninety-nine. In times I stray, I realize I am always the one abandoning the Shepherd. But the Shepherd, in His unconditional love, finds and rescues me, and brings me back to the fold. In my weakness, He is my strength.

The Good Shepherd is so good to me I can't even begin to fathom how He was able to sacrifice His own Lamb for my sake, so that I may live for all eternity, in His heavenly pasture. The sacrifice He asks of me -- following His will everyday -- is too little a thing, compared to what the Sacrifice Lamb that has been slain has done for me.

I am a blessed sheep of the Good Shepherd, my life a gentle witness to the great, inexplicable goodness and love of my Lord and my God.

Implications in day-to-day life:


As a member of the Catholic Church, I am duty-bound to get to know more of God through the Magisterium's teachings and the writings of the saints and spiritual authorities and hope to experience God's love without any conditions.To Him, I can come as I am.