My sheep hear my voice. They know me, and they follow me, JN 1:1

What do we know of shepherds? They are watchful. And they are protective of their flocks guiding them along safe paths. At the birth of Jesus, we find them "watching over their flocks by night."

 So what do we know of shepherds? You have probably never met one, or have you?

The nearest thing we know of a good shepherd is exemplified by the good mothers we have known.

They have safeguarded our life in the womb, endured extreme pain to bring us forth, and have sheltered and fed us from our first days.

This is the role of a Good shephed.

And today Jesus assures us that he too is a Good Shepherd.

The 23rd Psalm assures us that he wants to lead us towards restful waters.

So today, we give thanks for our "GOOD Shepherds," as we pray:

Bless our mothers,

living and deceased.

They show us the right path

toward green meadows and restful waters.

We should never take our lives for granted,

for they once said

"YES!" to life,

When they could have said No!

They have set us on right paths,

and they have entrusted us to Jesus, the final shepherd of our souls.

Amen