John 10:11-18
Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

Reflection
The image of the Good Shepherd is the most common image we see painted in the early time of the church. Somehow, this image worked to convey the truth that is within it. That we're here to love. We're here to take care of each other. And we've been empowered to do that. And when it seems that we don't have enough strength to do it, when it seems too much, there's power to be strong, to be capable.

What a gift. And what an important thing to hope in.

Closing Prayer
Father, when we receive your care, when we know you are there to support us and protect us, it fills us was zeal to do the same for our brothers and sisters. Open our eyes to see your work in our life so that we can imitate it and be more like you in the world today. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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