Mary's Musings: Like a Shepherd

By Mary Bridges, Chaplain

I recently heard someone on TV say, “Days pass slowly but the years fly by.” It has been a year filled with change — and losses, too. Many of our usual celebrations have been postponed or canceled. Some have become virtual events, which has enabled us to learn new technology skills.

To say it has been a hard year is the understatement of understatements. Thankfully, vaccinations are available now. They don’t just protect us against the virus — they give us a renewed sense of hope. Hope that we will be able to resume the most important activity of all: spending time with those we love.  

We find ourselves in the midst of the Lenten season. In her book Fresh Bread, Joyce Rupp writes, “This can be a time of reflection to find what our lives are really missing, a time of searching, and a time of restoration, followed by renewed perspectives and direction as we prepare to celebrate Easter. Easter fills us with hope and newness of life.”

These lyrics are from the song “Like a Shepherd” by Bob Dufford, S.J.:      

Like a father feeds his children
Like a shepherd leads his flock
The Lord will always guide us
Show us where to walk

And in times when we have plenty
In times when we have not
He is our Provider
And His mercy never stops …

From the morning to the evening
‘til the sunrise again …
He is the great “I am.”

I pray for each of you that your Lenten journey will be a time of reflection, and that you rediscover the hope, trust, grace and peace that has been poured into each of our lives. Amen.

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