Many years ago, at the software company I own, our computer servers at work crashed due to a massive software virus. At first, I thought it may have been catastrophic enough to destroy my company. However, we had enough backups to get recovery started. The process was slow, requiring my whole staff to be involved, taking almost two weeks to get back only 80% of what we had. Unfortunately, we lost good customers because of this. My life of prayer, quality time with my family, and my ability to be a sensitive business owner was disrupted beyond imagination. Yet, an inner voice during this turmoil constantly whispered to me, “Get up, Jerry.” Christ knew me well; as the initial feeling of anguish started letting go, evil began to be stripped of power and could not win. Faith allows us to not run away but instead “take it up again” when we are guided by the Good Shepard.
The Good Shepherd by James Tissot, full-resolution painting.
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Eastertide Reflections
John 10:11-18 – Scripture*
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 10:11-18 Reflection – Guided by the Good Shepard.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 10 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.