The Good Shepherd is one of the most well-known images of Jesus, extending not only to Christ’s presence in our lives but also to the life of the Church and to our priests. The Church (all her members) is Christ’s sheepfold. Christ leads and maintains the flock and the Church listens to Him. Similarly, priests have the responsibility to act as the Good Shepherd, speaking on behalf of Christ, protecting the people of his flock, and leading his people closer to the Father and ultimately to heaven.

In the Eastern cultures of the area in which Jesus lived, shepherds hold a vital role and lead their sheep in a particular way. They do not follow behind the flock to guide or use dogs to control them as many Western shepherds do, but rather, they lead from the front. The sheep learn to follow as they come to recognize the sound of his voice and respond.

The presence of priests in our lives and our churches is a way of making Christ, the Good Shepherd, present in the midst of His flock. The Lord has chosen and called priests to be His shepherds – to feed His people with His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, to watch over His people and care for them, and to walk with His people, leading them closer to the Father – mirroring Christ. These priests lay down their lives for the people as they undertake the responsibility of leading every soul within their geographical territory, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.

Good Shepherd Sunday is an opportunity to dive deeper into the faith with gratitude and hope. It offers the chance to examine our own relationship with the Lord and the degree to which we recognize His voice and follow where He leads, it allows us to recognize and reflect on the ways in which our priests have led us, fed us, and cared for us in our journey closer to God, and it presents us with a moment to intentionally pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood.

This weekend, perhaps there is the opportunity to offer a kind word of thanksgiving and remind your parish priest that they are in your prayers.

May we remain grateful for the priests in our lives, past and present, who are reflections of the Good Shepherd and pray for an increase in priests around the world, especially within the Diocese of Saint Petersburg.

For more information about vocations, click here.