He who is a hireling

Friday, April 24, 2009 St. Fidelis Roy of Sigmaringen, Capuchin, Priest, Martyr (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Revelation 3:7-8, 10-12 or 2 Timothy 2:8-13; 3:10-12 Psalm 119:137-144 John 10:11-1

John 10:12  He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

In this day and age we have a tendency to evaluate how we are being fed and what the church is doing for us.  To be truly Christ like, however, we need to be more like a shepherd and be willing to lay down our lives for the sake of the flock.  That can manifest itself in many different ways.  Perhaps it means not leaving a church for another, maybe it means not leaving a small group or even your own family.  The question is what are we leaving to the wolves and not laying our lives down for?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be faithful in what ever you call me to be.  Help me to be willing to lay down my own priorities for the sake of others.

Amen