Living in Imitation of Jesus, the Shepherd
My God, through your infinite mercy destroy my hardness of heart, and grant me … the gift of imitating you as the Shepherd who goes in search of the lost sheep. (OOCC, X, p. 675; STA, 514)
Jesus proclaimed himself as the good shepherd. A good shepherd is one who knows his sheep. He has full knowledge of their whereabouts. Having fully known where they are, he keeps constant watch over them, always preventing them from straying in the wilderness. A good shepherd familiarizes himself with the voice of his sheep and makes them get acquainted with his voice so that there is always communication between him and the sheep. He also protects the sheep from all the dangers they face, even if it means that he has to undergo hardships and troubles. If any sheep goes amiss for some reason, the good shepherd leaves the other sheep and goes after the lost one and rejoices when it is found. St. Vincent Pallotti, as a minister of the Church, attempted to live his life in imitation of Jesus, the good shepherd. He accepted his life as the pastor in the Church with the greatest responsibility. He spared no trouble to fulfill the demands of his office. A glance at the manner in which St. Vincent exercised his apostolate for the poor, the needy, the sinners, the outcasts, the prisoners and those condemned to die, proclaims his role as the pastoral minister in imitation of Jesus, the good shepherd.
How do I carry out my pastoral role in the community in which I live and for the people I am called to care for? Do I take the trouble to know their life situation in order to help them? Do I attempt to keep proper communication with them in order to guide and lead them in the right way? Am I ready to accept hardships for their good?
I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me … and I will lay down my life for the sheep. (Jn. 10: 14 –15)