DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR APRIL 2008.

+A Meditation for the weeks of the Easter Season when we contemplate The Good Shepherd+

The Shepherd knows what pastures are best for His sheep and they must not question nor doubt, but trustingly follow Him. Perhaps he sees that the best pastures for some of us are to be found in the midst of opposition or of earthly trials. If He leads you there, you may be sure they are green for you, and you will grow and be made strong by feeding there. Perhaps He sees that the best waters for you to walk beside will be raging waves of trouble and sorrow. If this should be the case, He will make them still waters for you, and you must go and lie down beside them, and let them have all their blessed influence upon you.
(Anon: Mrs. H.W.S. 1875)
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He speaketh, but it is with us to hearken or no. It is much, yea, it is everything not to turn away the ear, to be willing to hearken, not to drown His voice. “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him.”
It is a secret, hushed voice, a gentle intercourse of heart to heart, a still, small voice whispering to the inner ear. How should we hear it if we fill our ears and our hearts with the din of this world – its empty tumult, its excitement, its fretting vanities, or cares, or passions, or anxieties, and its whirl of emptinesses? In silence seek thy Father’s face, and the light of His countenance will stream down upon thee. He will make a secret cell in thy heart, and when thou enterest there, there shalt thou find Him.
(Dr. Edward Bouverie Pusey)
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Bishop Anthony writes: “I am the Good Shepherd and know my sheep: and am known of mine….and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: and them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd.” (St.John, Ch. 10)
Although JESUS is always longing for us to find Him, we have to seek Him and own Him as our most holy Redeemer. The sheep know Him! And that is what we must do – know Him as Saviour. Dr.Pusey tells us that we must decide whether to listen to His inner voice or not. Even in our sorrow and distress He is still leading us, still shepherding our souls towards eternity. Pope Pius XII reminds us that Jesus the Good Shepherd is at the same time light and perfect love. However often we stray, we will always be seeking the one true Light:Christ Himself, Who wants to shepherd us all unto our eternal Home.

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Let us pray: Lord Jesu, Risen Saviour, grant that we may ever be attached to Thee in truth and love. Grant that we may follow Thee as our Shepherd amid the perils and trials of this earthly life and at last attain unto the glory of our heavenly Home. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us pray for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, Who is the earthly Shepherd of all Christian people.

And a passing thought

If we behaved like true Christians, there would be no pagans!

(Blessed Pope John XXIII)

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JESUS, SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP, WE ADORE THEE, TRUE GOD AND TRUE MAN!
JESUS, IN THY ADORABLE SACRAMENT, WE GIVE THEE OUR HEARTS AND OUR SOULS!
IMMACULATE MARY, VOUCHSAFE THAT WE MIGHT EVER PRAISE THEE!

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