Good Shepherd

Jesus said:
“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.”
—John 10:11-18

O loving shepherd of the flock,
the storm is rising high
and predators who stalk the dark
are circling nearby.

Your voice still sounds, a constant pulse
that rings out low and clear
amid the howling of the wolves
so swiftly drawing near.

O, let us hear you through the storm
and panic-stricken night,
and keep us safely in your fold
'til morning rises bright.

But if we're scattered to the winds,
still you would find us there.
If we are driven by our sins,
we have not left your care.

For you have climbed the farthest hills
and combed the valleys deep,
that even from the darkest vales
you will bring back your sheep.

Not one is lost forever, then,
though we have left the fold;
not one will slip out of your hand,
but you will bring us home.

James Tissot, The Good Shepherd.

Shepherd

I am my brother's keeper,
for there is no one else
but him who keeps the sheepfold
and loves us as himself.
He comes to me for tending,
unworthy as I am.
I am my savior's shepherd,
who comes as but a lamb.

An infant in a manger,
he entered thus our world,
and walks it in the stranger,
the Christ of God returned.
No den or nest he has here,
no place to lay his head,
but helpless in our hands now
he lies as broken bread.

How can it be, my Jesus,
that I should shepherd you?
I look to you for keeping, 
but you're my brother, too.
Then let me set a table,
in spite of all my foes,
where you can rest in safety
and mercy overflows.

William Blake‘s *The Lamb* from his collection *Songs of Innocence and of Experience* – William Blake Digital Materials from the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection, Library of Congress, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24095348

Broken Bread

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He heard this and said,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Matthew 9:9-13

Christ, the broken bread of heaven,
dines with sinners at his side:
Flawed, impure of heart and leaven,
yet their hope is not denied.
From his table, none are driven;
in his mercy they abide.

Who are we that hear him calling?
Sinners, as the ones before.
Weak and helpless, barely crawling, 
still we see him at the door.
Reaching for him, we are falling:
He will raise us from the floor.

Not the strength of all the mighty,
not the whole world's gathered wealth,
naught restores the restores the souls we've blighted,
nurses wounded hearts to health,
'til he calls: We are invited
where the shepherd gives himself.

Not the sacrifices offered,
not the blood of countless sheep,
but the gift of Christ the shepherd
will our lives in mercy keep.
Underneath his cloak we're sheltered,
where we rest secure and sleep.

Can be sung to ST. THOMAS/TANTUM ERGO.