The Shepherd of Wisdom and Truth

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 9:07 am Post subject: The Shepherd of Wisdom and Truth

The Shepherd of Wisdom and Truth

Scripture:

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: You princes of the people, and ancients, hear: If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he has been made whole: Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God has raised from the dead, even by him this man stands here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.
(Acts 4:8-12)

Behold what manner of charity the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called, and should be the sons of God. Therefore the world knows not us, because it knew not him. Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God; and it has not yet appeared what we shall be. We know, that, when he shall appear, we shall be like to him: because we shall see him as he is.
(1 John 3:1-2)

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for his sheep. But the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches, and scatters the sheep: And the hireling flees, because he is a hireling: and he has no care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know mine, and mine know me. As the Father knows me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep.

And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. Therefore does the Father love me: because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No man takes it away from me: but I lay it down of myself, and I have power to lay it down: and I have power to take it up again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
( John 10:11-18 )

Reflection:

There are times we are tempted to believe that a path of injustice is the path to justice. We believe we are morally certain, but our judgment is faulty, for we do not always see all we need to see from which to discern the path which is truly correct. What are we to do if we discover that the perceived path of justice is in fact a path of injustice? How are we to retrieve our steps? How are we to make right that which we set wrong?

There are so many ways we are deceived to decisions we regret. In our imperfections, we are quick to believe the wisdom of our own making, failing to observe the wisdom of the One who is greater than we. So certain are we that even when we are presented with true wisdom and what is truly correct, we will not examine it or why we failed in our discernment. The one who comprehends their limits and who seeks to learn from the One who created all will advance further than the one who believes themselves to be wise by their own estimation.

Blessed are we that the One who created us, created us with the ability to observe and to reason, but this blessing shall be lost when we are tempted to believe that such gifts of our own making. We have the opportunity to refine them, to polish them, to put them to a purpose; but if we do not seek the guidance of the One who placed them within us, we will not accomplish and share the blessings for which He designed them. God created us in His image so we may learn from Him, so we may advance towards what He teaches, but our learning shall forever be misguided and incomplete when we turn away from His wisdom.

Blessed are we for the love which He has for us and the shepherd He sent to us to guide us to His kingdom. His voice is truth and through His truth He endeavors to guide us to all which is good and away from the paths of our destruction. Let us, then, listen for His voice, the voice which is not heard within our ear, rather, the voice which speaks with love, quietly in our heart. Let us listen intently, so we are not lost to the darkness by our own devices, but allow ourselves to be carried by the One who is light. Let us allow His wisdom to shepherd us, for as we allow ourselves to learn from Him, we prepare ourselves for the day He will call us to the kingdom of the Father, the day He will offer us the opportunity to be cleansed of our iniquities so we may walk with Him where love is shared by all, where there is no pain or affliction, and where evil is not allowed to follow.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways are we tempted to reject the love and wisdom which is greater than we?

In what ways are we able to turn from false paths so we may walk the paths which are true?

In what ways may we recognize the voice of the true Shepherd who endeavors to lead us to the kingdom of perfect love?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier