🕊️ The Good Shepherd: My Guide and Protector

(A Reflection on John 10:14–15)

“I am the Good Shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.”
— John 10:14–15

🌿 Jesus, My Constant Companion

The image of the Good Shepherd is my favorite image of Jesus.
In every prayer, I call upon Him — my Good Shepherd.

He guides me step by step.
He provides everything I need.
He protects me moment by moment.

Even when I walk through a neighborhood with unleashed dogs, I do not fear, for I remember the words of Psalm 23:

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”

💖 Faithful Through Every Season

My Good Shepherd is not a fair-weather friend.
He is not like an insurance company that’s friendly only when life is accident-free.
No — Jesus remains steadfast, come what may.

One day, when anxiety weighed heavy on my heart, my Good Shepherd whispered through His Word:

“Let Me have all your worries and cares, for I am always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.”
— 1 Peter 5:7

That day, I wrote down four worries on a piece of paper, placed it in my Missal, and prayed.
Months later, when I found the list again, every single worry had been resolved.
I crossed out all four items — tears of gratitude filled my eyes.

💰 When Worry Knocks

Like many people, I sometimes worry about money.
My Good Shepherd gently reproached me through Hebrews 13:5–6:

“Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have.
For I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.
The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man can do to me.”

How faithful He is!
His promise is not dependent on our balance sheets, but on His unchanging love.

💞 Never Forgotten

Once, in a moment of weakness, I cried out:

“Lord, You have deserted me. The Lord has forgotten me.”

But my Good Shepherd answered tenderly through Isaiah 49:14–15:

“Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
Even if that were possible, I would never forget you.”

Those words restored my peace.
They reminded me that the Shepherd never leaves His sheep — not even for a moment.

🙏 Final Reflection

My Good Shepherd knows me by name.
He walks beside me in the ordinary and the extraordinary.
He rescues, provides, and comforts.

I trust Him — not because life is always easy, but because His love never fails.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
— Psalm 23:1