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

Saturday, June 7

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

From the second kneeling prayer at Vespers on the Descent of the Holy Spirit: Lord Jesus Christ, our God! While you were still alive among us, you gave your peace to people and continue to give the faithful the gift of the Holy Spirit in constant succession. Today, in particular, you sent this grace to your apostles and disciples in the form of tongues of fire, inspiring their lips. Through them, every nation in its own language received the knowledge of God. And we were enlightened by the light of the Holy Spirit and freed from delusion, as from darkness. For the sake of the distribution of visible and fiery tongues, and for the sake of supernatural deeds, we have learned to believe in you and to praise you with the Father and the Holy Spirit, enlightened by one Godhead and its power and authority. For you are the Father's radiance and the unchanging and unshakeable image of his nature and essence.

Mission tasks:

1. Personal/family level: In the evening, let us say an extra prayer for our parish priest and for all the people who help to maintain the beauty and order of the church. And let us not forget, as we do every year, to make a donation tomorrow to the mission fund of our church, which is building new churches in the east, south, and centre of Ukraine and throughout the world.
2. Parish level: Let us briefly analyse the life of the parish and determine for ourselves what is most important to us in this parish, what we like most, and what could be changed. Let us write down our thoughts on a piece of paper and give it to the parish priest.
3. Extra-parish level: Let's find out how other successful parishes work. Let's think about what we could apply from their lives to our own homes.

See also

June 8 The Missionary Decade. Day Ten — Sunday of Pentecost — “Our mission: to carry the Holy Spirit to others” June 6 The Missionary Decade. Day Eight — “Christian family is a domestic Church” June 5 The Missionary Decade. Day Seven — “Community of prayer and mercy”