Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Good Shepherd. The Word of God is addressed to the prophet Ezekiel (chapter 34) against the shepherds of Israel who did not care for the flock which was prey to wild beasts. “Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day (verses 11-12)… I will seek that which was lost, and I will bring back that which was driven away, and I will bind up that which was broken, and I will strengthen that which was sick (verse 16)… I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd…” (verse 23).
“Seeing the crowds (Jesus) felt compassion for them because they were exhausted and tired, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9, 36). “'Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders.…” (Luke 15, 4-5). “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd offers his life for his sheep …” (John 10, 11), “I am the good shepherd, I know mine and mine know me…” (verse 14). (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/12/2006; righe 14, parole 224)
