The Good Shepherd

The Shepherd says:
“My heart is a wound opened by love for them. Yet I grieve over them, because they withdraw themselves from my love and do not seek the joy of my presence.”
— John of the Cross (OCD)

(Prayer of shepherds to Jesus the Good Shepherd, attributed to John of Damascus)

O Messiah, my God,
You came down to me to carry me—this poor, wandering lamb—upon Your shoulders,
and You led me to green pastures.

Make me able to proclaim Your word with courage;
may the tongue of the flame of Your Spirit grant full freedom to my tongue
and move me to remain always attentive in Your presence.

Lord, make me a shepherd;
be the Shepherd of Your sheep with me,
so that my heart may not turn aside to the right or to the left,
but remain firmly united to You.

Amen.