The Lord is my Shepherd
(c) Mateo Ivankovic 2017 J.M.J. July 11, 2017 St. Benedict Dear Family of Mary! “At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mt 9: 36) I feel sure that when Jesus sees the crowds today, he has the same pity for us that He had when He walked the earth. We are indeed like sheep without a shepherd. In the Revised Standard Version this passage reads like this: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mt 9: 36) Indeed, we are harrassed and helpless. Harrassed by all the powers of this world that want to use us, devour us, trample on us, lie to us, disfigure us, lead us away from God and peace. Helpless, because we are no match for those powers. And without faith, without Jesus, we are at their mercy. Our Lady is with us to lead us into the safety of our Shepherd’s care. She is teaching us the way back to Jesus, the way to draw close to Him, and to follow Him. She told us: November 25, 2006 “Dear children! Also today I call you to pray, pray, pray. Little children, when you pray you are close to God and He gives you the desire for eternity. This is a time when you can speak more about God and do more for God. Therefore, little children, do not resist but permit Him to lead you, to change you and to enter into your life. Do not forget that you are travelers on the way toward eternity. Therefore, little children, permit God to lead you as a shepherd leads his flock. Thank you for having responded to my call.” Jesus’ compassion and pity await us, if we turn to Him. If we pray, pray, pray, we will be close to Him, and He will give us the right desire, the desire to be with Him in eternity. We will not be subject to our enemies and we will not be helpless. Jesus will lead us as a shepherd leads His flock directly into the Father’s arms. Let’s pray Psalm 23 today, and allow our Shepherd to show us His mercy, His compassion as we pray: Psalm 23 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2017