Jesus, the Good Shepherd
Jesus said:
‘I know my own and my own know me’.
How can we be good shepherds to those under us or those in our care, if we don’t try to get to know them?
Often, alas, we don’t even know their names, not to mind their life stories. Can we blame them, then, if they look upon us as mere hirelings who are just interested in their salaries?
And how can we form a bond with them if we keep our distance from them, thus preventing them from getting to know us? Can we blame them if they too keep their distance from us and if, as a result, they distrust or fear us?
Don’t tell me that you care about me if you haven’t even bothered to get to know my name. Don’t tell me that you love me if you have kept your distance from me.
Caring is risky.
Love is risky.
It means getting close to people, as Jesus, the Good Shepherd, got close to us and remains close to us.
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