This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! In the liturgy today, the Gospel speaks about Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. He lays His life down for the sheep of His flock. One, who is not the shepherd, a hired hand, sees the wolf coming and runs away. The wolf snatches sheep, and the scared ones scatter to all parts of the field.

Christ knows His sheep, and they know Him. The Father knows Christ, and Christ knows God. Christ cares for the needs of His flock; he also cares for the sheep that are not of His flock. Knowing how loving He is, these sheep listen to Him and follow where He is leading them. No one takes Christ’s flock from Him because He willingly lays His life down for them.

Christ will protect us many times before He has to go to the cross. He will rise again, and the world will be made new by His sacrifice. Even the smallest lost child will be brought back to the flock because we are all one in God. Those who are searching for the light will find it in Christ’s heart. Because they are seeking Him, they will be brought into His flock and will receive Eternal life.

Anna Hartt