¹¹“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹²The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away — and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. ¹⁸No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying attention to the deep breath.
• The Good Shepherd is calling the flock to follow.
• What do you hear?
• How do you follow?
• How does Jesus know you?
• How do you know Jesus’ voice?
• What sheep not currently in the fold will Jesus bring in?
• How will they know his voice?
• What part of you needs to be brought into the fold?
• What do you need to hear from your Good Shepherd?
• Believe that Jesus has the power to help his sheep.
• Jesus wants to help you.
• Give thanks to God for the Good Shepherd, for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.