The Lamb and the Shepherd

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 12:20 am Post subject: The Lamb and the Shepherd

The Lamb and the Shepherd

Scripture:

But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them:

Therefore let all the house of Israel know most certainly that God has made both Lord and Christ, this same Jesus, whom you have crucified. Now when they had heard these things, they had compunction in their heart and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles: What shall we do, men and brethren? But Peter said to them: Do penance: and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call. And with very many other words did he testify and exhort them, saying: Save yourselves from this perverse generation. They therefore that received his word were baptized: and there were added in that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:14a, 36-41)

But if doing well you suffer patiently: this is thank worthy before God. For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered, he threatened not, but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly. Who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray: but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:20B-25)

Amen, amen, I say to you: He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold but climbs up another way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter opens: and the sheep hear his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he has let out his own sheep, he goes before them: and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. But a stranger they follow not, but fly from him, because they know not the voice of strangers. This proverb Jesus spoke to them. But they understood not what he spoke. Jesus therefore said to them again: Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All others, as many as have come, are thieves and robbers: and the sheep heard them not. I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved: and he shall go in and go out, and shall find pastures. The thief comes not, but for to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they may have life and may have it more abundantly. (John 10:1-10)

Reflection:

Can we imagine that those who conspired and turned Him over to be crucified might receive salvation through Him? Can we imagine that those who passed judgment and sentenced Him might also receive salvation? Can we imagine that those who drove in the crown of thorns, mocked him, swung the whips, drove the nails, drew lots for his garments, and cast the spear into His side might also receive salvation? Can we imagine that the thief who hung on a cross beside Him might also receive salvation? Can we imagine that the soldier who observed, and those with him as the skies turned black and the earth shook, saying: This is truly the Son of God; might also receive salvation?

Blessed are we that it is so, for through the sacrifice of the lamb of God, all, even those who speak against the Son of Man, might be forgiven their sins. The only sin which cannot be forgiven is of those who speak against the Holy Spirit, for it is this sin which shall not be forgiven, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come (Matthew 12:32). It is so, for we are all complicit in His suffering and His crucifixion, for it was to pay for our sins that He allowed Himself to be turned over. It was to pay for our sins that He allowed Himself to be scourged. It was to pay for our sins that He allowed Himself to be mocked and jeered. It was to pay for our sins that He allowed Himself to be placed upon the cross.

When we comprehend that it is our sin which was paid for upon that cross, then how can we set ourselves above anyone for what was done on that day; for it was by the few He was crucified, but it was by the sin of all the children of His creation that He hung upon the cross. When we understand this, we too, just as all who asked Peter, should ask: What shall we do?

If we believe in Him, then, He has promised, we will find our place in heaven; but we must also ask: What does it mean to believe in Him? Our belief is exemplified through our penance, our remorse for our sin, our living by His Word. Our belief is reflected by how we minister to others, for as we care for the least of the children of His creation, we also care for Him (Matthew 25:45). We cannot buy our way into His kingdom through what we do, for our place was purchased upon the cross; but we may demonstrate our belief in Him through the way we walk our daily journey. It is our choice to go along with the world or to follow Him. If we choose Him, He will save our souls from the darkness and death which are the wages of the ways of the world.

It is through the faithful His Word shall spread. It is the faithful who must raise up His church for His glory and the blessings of the children of His creation. It is the voices of the faithful that will draw the lost to the light, for silence shares nothing. It is for this reason the evil one will seek to silence the faithful. It for this reason the faithful must come together so they may not be silenced.

The faithful should not fear if they are criticized for raising voices of faith, for what does it mean to be accepted by those without faith? The faithful should not fear if they are persecuted for raising voices of faith, for what does it mean to have the world without Him? The faithful should not fear if they are threatened, for what does it mean to have life in this world, only to lose a place within His kingdom? If we are criticized, if we are persecuted, if we are threatened; we should raise our voices in prayer that we shall receive the care of our Shepherd and be delivered from all evil; for if our Lord is with us, of whom should we be afraid? (Psalm 23:4, Psalm 56:4, Psalm 56:11)

There will be voices which shall be raised to lead the faithful astray, but through prayer, such voices shall be revealed for what they are; voices of the evil one seeking to deceive and mislead. Voices shall be raised by those who have been granted power of the world. Voices shall be raised, by those who speak softly, by those who speak with smiles, by those who speak with logic, by those who speak as of if they are of faith; but no matter how soothing or enticing such voices may be, if they fail the test of His love, they are mere claxons of evil. Through prayer, He will guide us. Through prayer, He will reveal to our hearts those who speak with the truth of faith. Through prayer, He will help us to understand the test of His love as a means to know whether we hear the truth. Blessed are those who follow the truth of His Word, for their journey shall be along the path to His kingdom.

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