Trust the Shepherd

~~~ Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church ~~~

~~~ Ezekiel 34:1-11 ~~~ Psalm 23 ~~~ Matthew 20:1-16 ~~~ 

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The sheep do not question. The sheep follow the shepherd.

The sheep trust the shepherd to care for all of their needs.

The sheep do not worry about where the shepherd will lead them.

The sheep do not concern themselves with food or water.

It is the shepherd who leads them.

The shepherd leads them to cool refreshing water.

The shepherd leads them to the food trough.

I am not sure if we are able to place that much trust

 in the Lord when it comes to our needs.

We find it difficult to completely trust. 

We want reassurance in advance that all

 of our needs will be met.

Unlike the sheep we think ahead; sometimes too far ahead.

When we let our mind wander too far ahead

 we find ourselves in the land of fear.

When I find myself in the land of fear

 I look around in search of my 'shepherd'.

Will he really take care of all of my needs and wants?

Will he teach me to change my priorities?

Maybe the right path is to the left instead of to the right.

Maybe the best food source is just over the next hill.

Maybe the water is cooler and more clean in the valley just ahead.

If we can trust the Lord like the sheep trust the shepherd

then we will no longer be concerned about 

the order in which we gain access entrance into heaven.

The gospel today about the landowner and the daily wages

is about entering the kingdom of heaven.

It is not required for one to live a long holy life before going to heaven.

Children go to heaven....

Newly baptized go to heaven...

The elderly go to heaven...

There is no competition when it comes to heaven.

There is no lottery so you do not have to wait

 until you receive the winning ticket. 

Literally you cannot buy your way into heaven.

We are Blessed to have many images of God

 and the kingdom of heaven.

Today we have the shepherd and the landowner.

I find comfort with the Shepherd.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

~~~Peace~~~