My First

John 10,11-18 

"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. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father."

It came to me this idea of commenting about the daily gospel after I watched Barbie’s Diaries last night. It was my 3^rd or 4^thtime to watch this movie. But it was only last night that somehow I paid attention to the message the animated film conveys. Yes, it was about friendship, being accepted and knowing oneself.

This past week was full of intense emotions. I just don’t know how “intense” sounds for others. But this word brings a heavy unexplainable feeling for me. I guess, it takes a doze of problems for people to realize the importance of some things and what’s missing in their lives. Or, problems may be God’s way of reaching out to people. If that’s the case, am I too far away from God? :(

We can either be the shepherd or the sheep. It’s a matter of knowing what role we are acting. Being the shepherd takes a lot of responsibility because others depend on you..trust you.. And when difficult situations arise, you have to respond quickly and maybe, give up something (just like Jesus, he gave up his life and would give it up over and over again for us). Coz if you don’t, you’ll fail those who depend on you..

I know the feeling of having someone who’s very close to you but failed you in one way or another. But, it didn’t occur to me that I’m actually failing someone. The result….. The treasured friendship was lost. I guess what happened last week was a wake up call for me and for others. Am I a “hired man” or a shepherd who neglected her responsibility?

I hope this makes sense… I hope it really does.

written (4/14/2008) feeling so bad about a friend

edited august 12, 2012 feeling homesick