Be strong and courageous; do not be discouraged; do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is our Shepherd, our Protector and our Refuge. When we turn away or wander away, we are lost, He never stops looking for us. He knows us "by name" and we are His own; we belong to Him. The Good Shepherd watches over us, His flock, and protects us from danger and from enemies. When we are in trouble, isolated, sick or afraid, He lifts us up on His shoulder or under the safety of His arm and He carries us home.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10-11
Meditation: Imagine it is night time and you are lost, wandering, feeling afraid and alone. You do not know where to go for shelter. The sounds of the night frighten you. Suddenly, you hear someone calling your name. It is Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He gathers you into His arms and tells you He has been searching for you. He holds you close, as a loving Father does. Look into His eyes and tell him everything you have been through. Let Him hold you so close you can hear the beating of His Sacred Heart. Let Jesus console you, heal your broken heart and carry you home to the safety of His fold. You are not alone. Rest with Jesus.
The Lord is my Shepherd. There is nothing I shall want. Psalm 23:1
Prayer brings down a flood of grace.
You can make a difference for people who are suffering, people who have lost loved ones, people who are sick or isolated and afraid, our beloved priests who offer hope and healing through the Sacraments, courageous medical workers and first responders, neighbor helping neighbor. In the midst of the catastrophe of the worldwide pandemic, people come forward in heroic ways.
We can look to the saints as living lives of heroic virtue. God gives us their lives as examples to follow. Heroic virtue is the performance of extraordinary virtuous actions with readiness and over a period of time. The moral virtues are exercised with ease, while faith, hope and charity are practiced to an eminent degree. The presence of such virtues is required by the Church as the first step toward canonization.
What are some of the qualities of a hero?
Courage, Faith, Hope, Love, Fortitude, Compassion,
Wisdom, Perseverance, Honor, Service, Patience in Suffering
Ask Jesus to help you cultivate qualities of heroic virtue.
How can you help all those who are suffering?
Pray, fast, offer sacrifices.
"You Yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first: the act of mercy, of whatever kind. The second: the word of mercy - if I cannot carry out a work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third: prayer - if I cannot how mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches out even there where I cannot reach out physically. O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself, for You can do all things." Diary of Saint Faustina 163
Now the Word of the Lord came to me saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I consecrated you; a prophet to the nations I appointed you. Jeremiah 1:5
God has given each one of us a mission. Ask Him what He has appointed you to do and listen and, as in the words of Mary, "Do whatever He tells you." John 2:5
Heavenly Father, we ask You to bless all the families for whom we pray. We thank You for the gifts of Your Son Jesus, for the Holy Spirit and for Our Blessed Mother Mary.
Psalm 23
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