If you’ve ever been on a military installation when a lot of active duty members are milling about in uniform, it’s not uncommon to see a little kid pick out the wrong dad.
Being so little and among a sea of camouflage pants and boots, it’s easy to see why they sometimes grab the wrong hand or cling to the wrong leg.
What’s gets me, though, is that each time this happens, as soon as the kid grabs the wrong hand, you can tell they realize immediately that it’s not their dad’s hand. They look up, see the strange guy’s face and back away.
Even at their young age, they know the feel of their father’s hand. That’s what closeness does—you become intimately aware of the one you love.
It’s so cute when they finally grab the right hand because you see a bit of relief and a sense of belonging come over the child. “This is my dad and he loves me. I’m safe with him.”
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday.
Jesus says, “I know mine and mine know me.”
When we know Jesus intimately through cultivating a prayer life, through participating in Mass, through obedience to His teachings, and reading Scripture, our wills become formed to God’s.
We will know His voice and we will desire to be led by Him. We will want to be close and rest in the protection of His love and mercy. We won’t be fooled by the voices of this world, because we will be so attuned to the voice of our Good Shepherd.
We will submit ourselves, Catholic Pilgrims, to the one Who laid down His life for us, knowing that He has our best interests fully at heart and will never lead us astray.
Have a blessed Good Shepherd Sunday.
