Left with the Wolf

A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.- John 10:12-13

The wolf prowls about his sheep and the hired man does nothing. The hired man is thinking about himself and only himself. His pay is his concern.

But not the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd is not thinking about himself but about the other. Is that not the definition of love? To want the good of the other.

The hired man doesn't want my good. The hired man wants his good. And his good is not my good because he leaves me with the wolf and scatters us from each other.

Oh, how conniving you can be! How destructive you are! You stand there and see the wolf coming and you do nothing about it.

The evil one has no concern for us. The evil one will see temptation and lead us to it. The evil one will see to it that we sin and leave us in that sin.

Is this not what happens when I chose to ignore the Good Shepherd's voice? I'm left alone with the wolf. I'm caught by the wolf, and I'm left in shame, scattered from my fellow sheep.

But I will not remain there. I won't permit to remain with the one who has no concern for me. I will look for the one who lays down his life for me. I will open my ears and my heart to the voice of the Shepherd who calls me by name. The Good Shepherd knows me and is concerned about me. His voice will only lead me to green pastures and life giving water. Instead of scattering he will gather. The Good Shepherd is standing, looking and loving. He is not concerned with himself but does everything for His sheep. His only concern is His sheep. His heart is with His sheep. His eyes are on His sheep. He does not leave His sheep, but lays down his life in order that the wolf may not reach His sheep.

Jesus, teach us to love like you. You are so selfless. Your only concern is our good. Your concern is your flock. You lay down your life and you decide to suffer instead of letting your sheep be scattered by the wolf. How selfless is this love. Yet, how selfish is my love. I'm so concerned with myself at times. I'm so concerned with what others may think. I'm so concerned about my time and comfort that I end up leaving my loved ones in the claws of the wolf. Holy Spirit, strengthen my will and my mind. Strengthen me to be a better Shepherdess-focused on the flock instead of on myself.

Holy Spirit, help me.