SECURITY OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
"By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our
eyes" (Ps. 118:23).
Do you know the
peace and security of the Good Shepherd Who watches over His sheep? Jesus
Christ made three promises to His followers. First, He promised everlasting
life if we accept and follow Him. It is
then that we will have the life of God in us. Second, Jesus promised a life
that would have no end. Death would not
be the end but, rather, the beginning. Third, Jesus promised a life
that was secure. He said that
nothing would snatch us out of His hand, not even sorrow and death, since He is
everlasting life itself. Our souls are safe in His hands.
Today the Church
asks us to pray in a particular way on this "World Day of Prayer of
Vocations." It is a powerful thing for many people praying together to
realize our heavenly Father's desires for us in this world. It is also a day of
prayer for religious vocations, bringing to the Church's attention the joys of
a life dedicated to prayer and service as priests, deacons, and religious. I
read in one of our commentaries that a religious vocation is a devotion to God
and others. The faithful find deep personal satisfaction on a faith journey
shared with others. I want to quote St. Teresa of Avila who said in the
sixteenth century, "God gave me such great happiness at being in the
religious state of life that it never left me up to this day." It brings
us great joy to respond to what God calls us to do. Making a choice and commitment to Him is
something we all need to consider in whatever vocation we are called to. Then
do it well!