Christ is our Good Shepherd. One of the earliest paintings of Christ in the Roman catacombs represents him as carrying an injured sheep on his shoulders, and a pot to prepare the medicine to cure its wounds. This is a manifestation of love which touches our innermost feelings. There is something guileless about a sheep, and at the same time a lot of foolishness. Does not this describe the vast majority of men, even many of those who openly oppose Christ? Is there not something very sheeplike about the man who, because God gave him a limited intellect, thinks he knows all things and needs no further help from God? The sheep who thinks it knows as much, and even more than the shepherd, and sets out to fend for itself, is no more foolish than the man who thinks he can do without God's revelation and God's Church.
Indeed, we all act like sheep on many occasions, when it comes to the things that concern our spiritual welfare. We often ramble off from the flock to nibble at little bits of forbidden pasture. However, we have a Shepherd who understands us, one whose patience and love are infinite. He is always ready to go after us when we stray too far.
There are many who are not so fortunate as we, who do not hear his voice and do not know or follow him. This is an opportunity he gives us to show how we appreciate all he has done for us. He died on the cross for all men. He wills all men –our friends– to profit by his death, and his statement "them also I must bring" is a direct appeal to us to cooperate with him in this work.
Every Christian is a missionary. The very fact of living the Christian life in its entirety, in the midst of our fellowmen, is of itself a powerful example to outsiders. It influences for good the lax Christian and the non-Christian. It makes them stop and think and look into their consciences. This is generally the first step on the road back to God.
After good example, prayer will be his most potent weapon. Day in, day out the devout Christian must pray for the conversion of his fellowmen who are wandering aimlessly in the barren desert of this life far from God. He must also learn all he can about the truths of his faith in order to be able to help honest enquirers.
Do not shut your ears to this call of Christ today. Give him a helping hand by helping your fellowman to see the light of the true faith.
Jesus wants only to do the will of the Father, and the will of the Father is precisely that He should care for each one of us, and give us eternal life.
All that Jesus is, is precisely for me. His care of me never slackens.
Video: