The Missionary Decade. Day Nine — “Tend my sheep”

Saturday, May 18

A reading of the Holy Gospel according to John 21:15–25

”When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Reflections on the ninth day of the Decade. For John the Theologian, Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He is the One who “lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11), knows his own, and his own know him (cf. 10:14). He calls the sheep, and they listen to his voice (cf. 10, 3). In the Church, the pastor is called to be the same — to know his own and to be ready to give his life for them. Every believing soul will follow the voice of such a pastor, because in him they can see the image of Christ himself. To follow a good shepherd means to support him in his various work, morally, prayerfully and, yes, financially. A good shepherd makes sure that his flock grows in understanding the truths of faith, gathers together in joy for prayer, and helps others in need. But the Church cannot fulfill its mission without some kind of financial base. We all understand that. Construction, repairs, light, heating, dishes, books, helping the poor — all this requires money. And when it comes to church-wide missionary activity, to which the Missionary Decade is dedicated, it is necessary for each parish to look outside and think about how to support His Beatitude Sviatoslav and the local Bishop, so that God’s Word reaches those who have not yet heard it, and thus Christ’s flock increases.

Reflections in time of war. God is Great and God is Almighty! God is the master of life and death. Soldiers who gave their lives in the fight for the independence of the Ukrainian land die in the war, because they defended their faith, culture, and land from enemies. They fight for our peaceful life, for well-being and peace, they save cities and villages and protect the Motherland. We pray to God’s Mercy for the warriors killed in the war, we ask for the forgiveness of all the sins they committed knowingly or unknowingly. The Lord himself said that “no one is incapable of love more than when he lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Without belief in the resurrection, their sacrifice would be measured only by the well-being of future generations, who would enjoy their possessions, security, and the victory that warriors win for us. But since we firmly believe that their souls join the hosts of heavenly heroes, then even after the general Resurrection, they will join their relatives and loved ones, together with their ancestors and descendants.

Now we see their wounds and torments, we hear their moans and sufferings, although we do not even know what unbearable trials they endured, being in privations, hardships, toils and wakefulness, sometimes surrounded and captive, hungry, thirsty and exhausted. But we know very well that they labored courageously in terrible and age-old battles. The Lord accepts their sacrifice, which they made for their neighbors. God Himself clothes them in bright and clean clothes, because they washed their clothes here in their blood. The Lord makes them partners in victory together with all those who fought under the banner of the Cross against evil, injustice and the devil himself. Having departed to eternity, they continue to pray for us from the heavenly Jerusalem. The merciful Lord joins them to the council of glorious martyrs, benevolent martyrs, defenders of Ukraine, the Heavenly Hundred, all the righteous and all the saints.

Prayer intention: Let us pray for all the dead soldiers and victims of war and that God will accept their souls into his Kingdom.

Prayer. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 22 (23)).

Mission task: If you have the opportunity, make another donation for the needs of the Armed Forces. If you do it all the time, ask three of your friends if they do it too. If not, tell them how to do it.

See also

May 19 The Missionary Decade. Day Ten — Sunday of Pentecost — “Our mission: to carry the Holy Spirit to others” May 17 The Missionary Decade. Day Eight — “Christian family is a domestic Church” May 16 The Missionary Decade. Day Seven — “Community of prayer and mercy”