“Feed My Lambs, Feed My Sheep”

 

Article by Father Jonathan E Moore - LINK HERE

“Feed My Lambs, Feed My Sheep” 

Three days ago, I found myself in conversation with a fellow cancer patient, a Muslim lady. We promised to pray for each other, and she shared with me her concern that after the major surgery she was facing, she would not be able to say her prayers properly whilst lying in bed. I reassured her, telling her that I was no longer able to kneel to pray, but I didn’t believe God minded in the circumstances. Before we parted, she said one more thing which greatly surprised me. She said “I greatly admire your new Pope. His priorities match the greatest needs of our world and it’s inhabitants.” I replied by telling her that all of our Holy Fathers  have that same gift through the Holy Spirit to be men of their own time. 

Reflecting on this encounter, and meditating on this weekend’s feast of Saints Peter and Paul, I was struck by a passage in St John’s Gospel (10:16) “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd." (10:16, ESV). Throughout the long and venerable history of our Church, we find so many examples of the Holy Spirit directing individual Popes to minister, not only to members of their own flock, but also those sheep and other folds. This feast of Saints Peter and Paul gives us a great opportunity to thank God for the gift of the Papacy , which down the centuries has kept our Catholic Church together as a focus of unity and a safeguard against disintegration through individualistic interpretations of the Scriptures and personal preferences. God bless our Pope!

“Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” These words, spoken by Jesus to Peter after His resurrection (John 21:15-17), are not directed to one individual, but rather should speak to every true Christian, bearing Christ’s own call to live out the heart of His  Gospel: love, compassion, and service. Far more than a simple directive, this phrase is a summons to share in Christ’s pastoral care for His people.

In the gospel reading for the Vigil Mass of today’s feast, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” and follows each affirmation with “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” then  “Feed my sheep,” the Lord wants more than a simple declaration of affection from Peter.  He links  love for Himself directly to action on behalf of others. Peter’s friendship for Jesus is realised, not in private sentiment, but in public mission. The risen Lord Jesus commits to Peter—and through him, us too—the ongoing care of God’s flock, and every single one of our worlds seven billion inhabitants is a child of God, just like you and me. This sacred  commission is ours, a task utterly impossible in our own strength, yet through the power of the Holy Spirit the work can be done.

When Jesus says “feed”, He means more than simply providing  physical sustenance. He means spiritual nourishment: sharing the Word of God, offering encouragement, and supporting others on their  faith journey. It is Saint Peter himself  (2 Peter 2:2) who identifies those lambs as the vulnerable, the young, the newly converted, who need  gentle guidance, patience, and a listening ear. The sheep—the mature members of the community—still  need ongoing formation, protection from spiritual danger, and reminders of God’s mercy. In responding to both, we imitate the Good Shepherd who knows each one by name.

How do we fulfil this call in daily life? First, by recognising those around us who hunger for hope, understanding, and compassion. Feeding Christ’s lambs might mean reaching out to someone who feels alone, offering a kind word or a helping hand. Feeding His sheep could mean supporting a friend through a difficult time, forgiving those who have hurt us, or praying for others’ needs. In parish settings, it might involve catechesis, voluntary work, administrative jobs, gardening, cleaning, or simply showing up for someone in times of trial.

The Good Shepherd laid  down His life for His sheep, unlike the cowardly hireling who made  himself scarce at the first sign of any trouble. The Christian is to shoulder their cross and follow in His footsteps, making that same self-giving love a lived reality in their own little corner of the Lord’s Vineyard, a love that is patient, enduring, and steadfast. The Eucharist, celebrated at every Mass, is both the ultimate act of feeding and the model we are called to imitate: Christ gives Himself wholly, and we are invited to do likewise in service to others.

Caring  for one another in the Good Shepherd’s flock is no easy matter, however. It demands patience, perseverance, humility,  unselfishness and a sense of humour - especially the ability to laugh at ourselves. We will frequently feel our own inadequacy, sometimes even overwhelmed, yet we must never forget God does not send us a cross to bear without also providing  the strength to bear it. His grace is ever-present  especially when we are at our weakest. Christ’s Church, which calls us to care, also gives us the means to find the strength to do it through prayer and the sacraments.

“Feed my lambs, feed my sheep” says Our Blessed Lord to you and me every day. Opportunities are never lacking, though sometimes Christ's call to care one for another is hardly heard above the noise and chatter of our oversensitised 21st century lives. Try to find a little oasis of calm within yourself, a place where you can wait on the Lord and listen to His voice before going out to meet Christ in others, and to be Christ for others.