WE ARE HIS PEOPLE, THE SHEEP OF HIS FLOCK
This week’s liturgy reminds us of who we are, whose we are, what has been done for us, and then, how we might feel drawn to respond.
For the people of Israel in the First Reading, relations with neighbouring tribes always offered tempting religious alternatives. The Exodus story was a constant reminder of their covenant with God, in which the whole nation was called to be made holy. St Paul in the Second Reading writes to the Christians in Rome, teaching that their concerns should not, ultimately, be about what they are doing for God, but about what God has done, and is doing, for them. In the Gospel, St Matthew portrays Jesus as the compassionate shepherd of his suffering people. Jesus is concerned not only with their spiritual and practical needs, but also about ensuring there are enough ‘labourers’ on the ground to reach every ‘lost sheep’.
Source: Excerpted from the Scripture reflection courtesy of St Beuno’s Outreach in the Diocese of Wrexham, UK available at www.australiancatholics.com.au