Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd
Today's first reading makes me squirm a bit. Ezekiel, the prophet, has some rather harsh words for those in authority in the church. Some of my thoughts take me back to the second verse of Sunday's Presentation song Like A Shepherd by Bob Dufford, SJ. The second verse's lyrics are as follows "I myself with shepherd them, for others have led them astray. The lost, I will rescue and heal their wounds and pasture them, giving them rest." There is a tremendous spiritual burden on those who shepherd our respective flocks. God warns them that some of them have led people astray and that God is the True Shepherd, which is why we always need to pray for our Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Then that first reading is followed by the very familiar psalm 23, which is my favorite Psalm. Since the 8th Grade, this Psalm has followed me, and I have developed a particular fondness for that Psalm. There is comfort in that Psalm, and the imagery is so vivid. In our Breaking Bread books, there is a setting of the 23rd Psalm that I love! Sarah Hart's setting has a pastoral feeling. Pastoral concerning grazing animals. I hope you will love this arrangement as much as I do!