Faithful to Christ

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the labourers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out labourers for his harvest.” Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” (Matthew 9:35-10,1.6-8)

Sheep faithfully follow their shepherd. In turn, the shepherds sent by Jesus must guide the flock He has entrusted to them, showing them the way that will lead them to God. Hence, shepherds must speak with Jesus’s words and not their own. Let us pray for all priests that they may preach the word of Jesus well and for all of us and that we may be able to recognise pastors who are faithful to Christ and His Holy Church.