Early in my religious formation, I received news that the priest who had inspired my vocation and had accompanied me in my spiritual growth throughout high school and college was withdrawing from active ministry. To say I was shattered is an understatement.
I didn’t feel like a sheep without a shepherd; I felt like a sheep abandoned by her shepherd.
I was left with so many questions, so many doubts, and fears about the authenticity of my own vocation. In the weeks following the news, I went through all the stages of grief and had some very raw conversations with the Lord. Each of those conversations ended with the same questions in my heart.
Why did you come here?
Did you enter because I called you or because he did?
I came to realize who my true shepherd is. I was not a wandering sheep. I am His lamb, held in the tender arms of my Shepherd. I took refuge in the truth that even though our Lord used this priest to lead me to His will, I was responding to the voice of my Shepherd who called, and He is the only one to whom I must cling!
Sister, sometimes people in our lives disappoint us, even those we count on most. Sometimes we come to rely on the people the Lord sends more than the One Who sends them. In those moments we must realize that while He sends people to represent Him, He is the only True Shepherd. While others may abandon, disappoint, or hurt us, He will never abandon or desert His lambs.
In moments when you feel abandoned, betrayed, left alone, or confused, Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd never ceases to have pity on you and draw you to Himself.
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).
Sister, join me today in asking the Master, in His pity, to send faithful, courageous, laborers for His harvest with perseverance to lead and guard His sheep.
He will never abandon or desert His lambs. // Sister Maria Fatima Click to tweet
LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS
A NEW WORKSHOP
COME BACK TO FIRST LOVE
