February 15, 2025
Reflections By Rev. Fr. David Okolie

THE ETERNAL PRESENCE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

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Rev. Fr. David Okolie

Dearest friends, we surely do not need much logic to convince us that our Lord Jesus Christ is the *GOOD SHEPHERD.* This is because, the qualities of a good shepherd are quite glaring in his entire life and ministry. These exceptional qualities culminated in laying down his LIFE for his Sheepย (cf. Jn 10:11-18, 15:13).ย 

Now, the LOVING PRESENCE of Christ, the Good Shepherd to the Church, his Sheep, did not end with his earthly life and ministry. To maintain his identity as the Good Shepherd, he left his ETERNAL PRESENCE to his Church through the life and ministry of *PRIESTS.* Hence the Catechism affirms:

The Church…, even though governed by human shepherds, are UNFAILINGLY NOURISHED and led by CHRIST himself, the Good SHEPHERD and Prince of Shepherds, who gave his life for his sheep (cf. CCC, n. 754).

The Second Vatican Council corroborates the above thus:

In order to SHEPHERD the People of God and to increase its numbers without cease, Christ the Lord set up in his Church a variety of offices which aim at the good of the whole body… (cf. LG, n. 18).

๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸผTherefore, to continuously benefit from this Eternal Presence of Christ, the Good Shepherd, in his Church, we have to resolve to always be *Good, Humble and Obedient Sheep (Christ’s faithful).* When, Christ, the Good Shepherd is directing us to the *โ€˜Greener Pastures’*, through the Teachings of the Church, let us not prefer to remain HUNGRY through Disobedience of these Teachings. Remember, that the Church, in obedience to Jesus Christ, remains always a Loving Mother, Teacher and Shepherd. Do not always prefer to do it your own way because that would never be to the best interest of your soul. Listen and Live out the teachings of the Church which are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. Where you are confused, ask the priests for clarification and guidance either there at the Church or through the social media by sending your questions.

We Pray the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Church, to always obtain for us the grace to be DOCILE to the guidance of Christ the Good Shepherd through his Ministers. Amen๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ

Remain blessed๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ

contributor
Rev. Fr. David Okolie is a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria. He is a prolific writer, retreat preacher and social media evangelizer.

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