A Reflection for Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
“The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.”Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13
I was drawn to the powerful words of today’s responsorial psalm and the various reminders that we look to and rely on Jesus, similar to how sheep are led by their shepherd. Sheep follow the shepherds and move in large flocks to protect one another from predators, which is quite like the way that the Lord always protects us.
As the people of God, with Jesus as our shepherd, we are shown the way and always led in the right direction through our earthly pilgrimage. We have to remember that it is such a consolation knowing that he will always guard us. His love and his word will chart our course during times of despair, hopelessness, fear and injustice.
As Lent draws to a close, we can reflect on the times in which we strayed away from God. Maybe over these last few weeks, you haven’t been charitable to your family, colleagues or a neighbor in need. Or maybe you “cheated” and had a piece of chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth. Just like some sheep in a flock who stray away, the Lord will bring us back.
Let us continue to open our hearts and our minds and allow the Lord to continue to lead us in our words and our actions as we put love toward each other at the forefront of everything we do, think and say. And when we do stray from the flock, know that he is always there with his loving arms to guide us back to the way, the truth and the light.
