How to become a Good Shepherd? Best Qualities of a Good Shepherd

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 16th Week -  Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 6:30-34*

*First Reading - Jer 23:1-6*

*SECOND READING - Eph 2:13-18*

*How to become a Good Shepherd?*

*Best Qualities of a Good Shepherd*

*1) Jesus The Shepherd*

The readings of the day speaks about the a Shepherd, who always thinks about the Sheep and their wellbeing

The First reading tells us that God is the Shepherd of Israel, who always takes care of them

The Gospel of the Day speaks about the response and the attitude  of a Good Shepherd - Jesus

*2) What makes a Good Shepherd?* 

*A) Understanding the Sheep*

Jesus is one the best shepherds who understood His Sheep

Soon after they came from their ministry He allowed them to go to a seculed place and to rest for a while 

This shows how well Jesus understood His Sheep 

*B) Listening to the Sheep*

As soon as His disciples came after their ministry, they shared their experiences. 

Jesus carefully listened all of them very well 

Only when we listen to the another we can understand them at a deeper level

*C) Any time Ready for service*

In fact Jesus and His disciples had gone to take rest 

But when Jesus saw people in that place, instead of taking rest, He began to serve them 

*The service of the people was more important than the rest* important to note this 

*D) Working for Unity*

One of the Major themes of today's Readings is *UNITY*

The first reading tells us that God is working at all times to bring about unity among the sheep 

2nd reading tells us that the blood of the Lamb is responsible for Unity - A unity between human beings, a unity between God and Man, a unity between God, man and the Nature

*E) Protection of the Sheep*

The shepherd is redy to protect the sheep at any time and from any harm 

Risking His life the shepherd protects the sheep from all harm 

At the same time He also destroys the enemies who divide and lead the sheep astray from the sheepfold

*F) Teaches the right Things*

Another important aspect to note 

He began to teach them because they were ignorant about many things 

*F) Heart with Compassion*

The Gospel says that His heart was moved with pity

Having pity is very important, since it creates a feeling which leads us to do something for them 

*G) Nothing is in scarcity*

Good Shepherd has everything in abundance

The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want, because there is nothing which lacks in the Shepherd

*3) We have been called to become Good Shepherds*

All of us are invited cordially to become good shepherd a free the model of Jesus 

By having some of the above qualities, we can definitely become good shepherds. 

So the question is am I ready to become a good shepherd??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*