LED BY THE SHEPHERD
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather as a family/ community; create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately - switch off your phones...).
We are conscious that Christ is present not only in the Blessed Sacrament but also in the Scriptures and in our hearts. Even when we are on our own, we remain part of the Body of Christ.
Place lighted candles, a crucifix, and the Bible on a covered table. These remind us of the sacredness of our time of prayer and could help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.
You may sing or play an appropriate hymn. For instance:
The Sign of the Cross
Greeting and Introductory Words
L: The Lord invites us to the table of his Word: let us bless him for his goodness.
A: Blessed be God forever.
L: Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus reminds us that he is our Shepherd and that he knows us personally. We experience in him God’s goodness, care, and close presence. Jesus calls us to know him, to listen to his voice, and to follow him. We pray for the grace to do so.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have heeded not the voice of our Shepherd but other voices, we ask his pardon.
Pause
L: Jesus, our Good Shepherd, you know your sheep:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Jesus, our Good Shepherd, you give us eternal life:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Jesus, our Good Shepherd, your Father has given us to you:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
Gloria
Opening Prayer
L: Safe in your hand, O God,
is the flock you shepherd
through Jesus your Son.
Lead us always to the living waters
where you promise respite and refreshment,
that we may be counted among those
who know and follow you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Readings
The readings are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary.
Preferably use a Bible/ Lectionary for reading.
Reading 1 Acts 13:14, 43-52
Psalm Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5
Response We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or: Alleluia.
Reading 2 Revelation 7:9, 14b-17
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
Gospel John 10:27-30
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine hearing Jesus talk about being the good shepherd. What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear him say: “I know them and they follow me”; “I give them eternal life”?
Sunday Snippets
In The Preaching Life, Barbara Taylor narrates a conversation she had with a friend who grew up on a sheep farm. He contends that sheep are not dumb: “The cattle ranchers are responsible for spreading that ugly rumour, and all because sheep do not behave like cows. Cows are herded from the rear by hooting cowboys with cracking whips, but that will not work with sheep. Stand behind them making loud noises and all they will do is run around behind you, because they prefer to be led. You push cows, but you lead sheep, and they will not go anywhere that someone else does not go first—namely, their shepherd—who goes ahead of them to show them that everything is all right.”
Jesus knew what he was saying when he used the shepherd-sheep analogy!
Shepherds have names for their sheep and know their personality. Isolated for days with his herd, the shepherd talks and sings to them, and sleeps among them. There may be several flocks in one sheepfold. But when the shepherd calls out, the sheep of his flock will sort themselves and follow him only. Shepherds do not need brands to recognize their sheep!
When Jesus uses the shepherd-sheep analogy, it’s consoling; it’s a wonderful and loving image of care and protection! Our shepherd knows us: he knows us personally.
He calls out to us. But in this sheepfold called the world, many voices call out to us: materialism and consumerism, regionalism and communalism. False shepherds make promises of love, happiness, and security, if only I follow one path or another. If you and I are his sheep, we will listen to his voice and follow him. We will not let the hooting and loud noises of the world and its values drive us; we will not let our passions and fears drive us.
How do we discern the voice of the shepherd? We form and listen to our conscience, the voice of our shepherd within us! Pope Francis called it “the most secret core and sanctuary of a person. There each one is alone with God, whose voice echoes in the depths of the heart.” We need to rediscover this secret core!
What happens when we follow our shepherd? We have eternal life; we shall never perish—through sorrow and suffering, we will survive; we will always be in the hands of Jesus and the Father. What more can we want! What more do we need! Will I listen to my shepherd’s voice and follow him?
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: How were Paul-Barnabas instruments in spreading God’s word? How am I an instrument in any way? Is there any situation where “shaking the dust off your feet” and moving on might help me or the situation?
Reading 2: Do I need to hear the words “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes”? Is there someone I know who needs to hear these words?
Gospel: “My sheep hear my voice.” Do I? How and where and when? In what ways do I follow the Lord?
How have I experienced the protection of the Shepherd?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: With trust in God our Shepherd, who cares for us and our world, we bring our needs to him and pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may recognize the voice of the Lord in our lives, distinguish it from the other sounds which demand our time and attention, and follow his invitation to a fuller life, we pray…
R: For the human family: that God may heal the wounds of violence and ethnic discrimination so that there may be one flock of people from every land offering praise and worship to God, we pray…
R: For all mothers: that God may bless them and inspire us to greater love by their witness of love and concern, we pray…
R: For all who have shepherded us, particularly parents, pastors, teachers, and mentors: that God may continue to work through them and guide them in helping others to grow, we pray…
R: For all who are discerning a call to pastoral ministry: that they may hear God’s invitation to share in guiding his people and respond with generous hearts, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that we may rely on our Shepherd as we face challenges and negative messages in our work and society, we pray…
L: God, our Shepherd, we entrust our cares, our world, and ourselves to you. Guide us, protect us, accompany us, and bring us to green pastures and restful waters. Through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
Spiritual Communion
A: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
Post Spiritual Communion Reflection
Lord,
you say that the Good Shepherd knows his sheep
and they hear him and follow him.
I am your sheep, O Lord.
I long to hear you call me.
And you do…
but sometimes I do not heed your call.
Hold me in your arms awhile.
In these difficult days and nights,
let me rest in your loving care.
Then help me take your unconditional love
and wrap it around the lives of all people everywhere.
Good Shepherd, give
food for the hungry,
medical care for the sick,
healing for our planet,
and love that ends conflicts and divisions.
Let not one of your sheep perish.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Our loving God and Father,
you show us how much you care for us
by giving us Jesus as our Good Shepherd.
He knows us.
May we be ever close to him,
so that we may know him too,
hear his voice,
and follow him without reserve,
who is Lord forever and ever.
A: Amen.
Blessing
L: The Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and lead us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
L: Go in the peace of Christ.
A: Thanks be to God.
Conclude with a hymn. For instance:
No comments:
Post a Comment