COVID 19 Pandemic Prayer

Today, the Church gives us the Image of the Good Shepherd.  When we hear that name, Good Shepherd, Psalm 23 comes to mind.  “The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I lack.  In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul ….  I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days.”  This psalm is one of the most consoling parts of scripture.

Jesus is with us each step of the way, the Good Shepherd, the Gatekeeper.  During the Easter Season several images of the risen Lord are used: a Gardner, a Stranger walking, a Cook on the seashore, and a Good Shepherd.

The Shepherd calls his sheep into the sheepfold, which was constructed with stones and the Shepherd was the gate.  The Shepherd would lie down after all the sheep were in the fold and close the opening, to protect his sheep [the Shepherd is the Gatekeeper].  We get to know Jesus through the Scriptures, the Sacraments, the Church and people who live Jesus, live as His disciples.

 

This story may help us put the Good Shepherd in current times, every evening she could hear the newborn in the apartment next door cry and cry.  The parents put the baby in the crib alone in the dark.  The baby cried for a long time; the exhausted parents clearly are oblivious to their child’s anguish or were at a loss as to what to do.  What could and should she do? 

Speaking to the parents might make what is just an annoying situation worse.  She decides to sing; she can hear the baby, so the baby can hear her.  So, every evening when the mom and dad put the baby in, she sings lullabies … talks softly and to the baby through the walls and comforts the child.  The baby hears her invisible friendly voice and falls asleep peacefully.      [Below The Good Shepherd by Letbetter]          

Christ speaks in many voices — including our own.  We can be the “voice” of Christ’s compassion, comfort, forgiveness and peace in even our smallest and simplest “songs” of kindness and selflessness.  [Connections, “Lullaby & good night ….” from The Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci.]

Our actions do not have to be Herculean; they need to be loving.  The question we should ask ourselves is what are we doing to know our shepherd better, hear His voice more clearly and allow Him to lead us into His Sheepfold?

May God Be Praised!