February 22, 2021 Reflection – “as a shepherd leads his flock.”
“As a shepherd leads his flock…” February 22, 2021 Feast of the Chair of Peter the Apostle Dear Family of Mary! Today we remember the mandate that Jesus said to St. Peter: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it…” Jesus gave Peter the primacy in His Church because Peter was listening to the Father, who is the great Shepherd. Peter would be a shepherd as long as he listened to the Father in Heaven. And the Church would be built on a firm foundation. We often forget that the Great Shepherd is God the Father. It is from Him that our popes receive their authority and wisdom. Always. Our Lady told us very clearly that God is our Shepherd, first and foremost, in this message: “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.” (November 25, 2006) “Permit God to lead you as a shepherd leads his flock!!” May we never forget this. The Father wants to lead us, carefully and gently along the right path, always protecting us and correcting us lest we get off the path. We are very safe with Him. Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side With your rod and your staff that give me courage. You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. And St. Joseph is a pretty good shepherd as well. Think of how he listened to God and then lead and protected the Holy Family! Prayer to St. Joseph (adapted from St. Bernardine of Siena) Oh my beloved St. Joseph, adopt me as thy child. Take charge of my salvation; watch over me day and night; preserve me from the occasions of sin; obtain for me purity of body. Through thy intercession with Jesus, grant me a spirit of sacrifice, humility, self-denial, burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and a sweet and tender love for Mary, my mother. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may serve the Blessed Virgin Mary in her battle against the devil in these last days, always living her messages and answering her call from Medjugorje, so that the Immaculate Heart of Mary will Triumph in this world. Finally, St. Joseph, be with me living, be with me dying, and obtain for me a favorable judgement from Jesus, my merciful Savior. Amen. Dear St. Joseph, help me respond to this message from Our Lady: “Dear children! Today in a special way I invite you all to prayer and renunciation. For now as never before Satan wants to show the world his shameful face by which he wants to seduce as many people as possible onto the way of death and sin. Therefore, dear children, help my Immaculate Heart to triumph in the sinful world. I beseech all of you to offer prayers and sacrifices for my intentions so I can present them to God for what is most necessary. Forget your desires, dear children, and pray for what God desires, and not for what you desire. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (September 25, 1991) In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2021