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.

Date Created	26 Apr 2026
Categories	Jesus