30 August, 2020
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27–28
All-powerful God, Compassionate Good Shepherd, we are your elect, your chosen ones, who profess our faith in you as our Sovereign Head and our belief in the absolute truth of your Divine Word. Your precepts and commandments hold us to you, enabling us to follow the voice of our conscience, which encompasses your Holy Will, interpreted to us by your Holy Spirit, counseling and leading us on the path of righteousness. Sin is death, and many a time have we succumbed to it in our human frailty. But you draw your flock to you with your redemptive power, and hold us to yourself, Good Shepherd, to feed in peaceful pastures, and be refreshed in faith by the still and Living Waters of your Word and gospel Truth. We fear no evil while we dwell in your grace, mercy and peace. When, by our ineptitude, and the craftiness of the ruler of this deceitful world, we fall away, your Powerful hand holds on to ours, never letting go. You discipline us by your Law to prevent our going astray. You took upon yourself the iniquity of us all and carried the full brunt of punishment for our misdeeds in the form of the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, ransoming your life to give us eternal life. We make expiation for our sins and with renewed faith will continue the mission entrusted to us, of increasing discipleship, in Jesus’ Name. Amen