“If you want to give a message to the world, let it be simple, as simple as the life of a shepherd!”
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After yesterday’s dark gloomy skies, the early morning sun burst through the distant grey clouds. It was a glorious morning for a 7:30’am walk before church.
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. The Gospel reading was about Jesus telling us how He is our good shepherd, as He would lay down His life for us.
Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 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. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
My take on it…. Jesus did lay down His life for us, as a good shepherd would. When you love unconditionally, when you are responsible for others in your care, or like a good parent, you would lay down your life to protect those in your charge or to protect your child from harm.
When I had children of my own, I often thought about the responsibilities of a mother and what I would do for my child. I knew that I would gladly lay down my life for my children if I ever had to make that decision. No question. That is unconditional love.
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After Mass, a quick coffee and chat with my friend Jerry, then off to Sprouts to check out the sales. OH NO! I went NUTS…literally. Dark chocolate covered walnuts (my favorite) were on sale for only $3.99 a pound. So were sea salt almonds and dark chocolate covered raisins. I went nuts. I did buy some fruit and vegetables to counteract the many pounds of nuts I purchased. I’m not much of a carnivore. I rarely buy meat, but I never met a nut I didn’t like.
Another long evening walk, wispy clouds, and visiting with neighbors made for a super Sunday. My message and my life are simple. I’m a good shepherd. I just need to find my sheep.
Toni Andrukaitis 
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