The Good Shepherd: A Meditation on John 10:14

Flávia Ghelardi offers a guided meditation on a popular Scripture verse.

Today we begin our first practical exercise on meditation, inspired by the method taught by Father Joseph Kentenich. We will start using a biblical text, because the Word of God is addressed to each of us individually, and it is the Holy Spirit who helps it reach our hearts as a message from the Father.  

Meditation is a personal encounter with God, to grow in love for Him. Because it is personal, each person will experience this encounter in a different way, in a unique way. Thus, each proposed exercise is intended only to present an example of what this conversation with the Father can be like, so that you can get an overview of the whole process.  

Opening Prayer 

We are in the place we have chosen to meditate, already prepared with some image that reminds us of the spiritual world, a lit candle, or instrumental music — in short, whatever helps us most to concentrate on what we are about to do: have a personal encounter with God. 

We close our eyes, take a few deep breaths, and place ourselves in God's presence. 

We make the Sign of the Cross. 

My holy guardian angel helps me to meditate well so that this moment of prayer may transform my hard, fickle, selfish, and negligent heart into a pure heart, capable of loving and serving God with joy and generosity. 

We implore the help of the Holy Spirit: 

Holy Spirit, you are the soul of my soul. I humbly adore you. Enlighten me, strengthen me, guide me, comfort me. Reveal your wishes to me as far as this is in accordance with the will of the Eternal Father. Show me what Eternal Love wants of me. Show me what I should do. Show me what I should suffer. Show me what I should humbly and thoughtfully accept, bear and endure. Holy Spirit, show me your will and the will of the Father, for I want my whole life to be nothing else than a continuous, an everlasting yes to the wishes, to the will of God, the Eternal Father! (Father Joseph Kentenich: HW 639) 

Today's Meditation Topic:  

The Bible verse we have chosen to meditate on today is John 10:14:

“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me.” 

What Does the Father Want to Communicate to Us in This Passage?

I can think that He is the Good Shepherd. There is no other Good Shepherd but Him. The truth contained in this verse is that the Father is good, infinitely good. He is goodness itself. Everything that is good comes from His almighty hands. There is not the slightest hint of evil or wickedness in God. Everything He does or allows, even in my life, is good, even if I cannot understand or feel His goodness.  

He is the Good Shepherd. He is my shepherd; I am part of His flock. He knows His sheep, so He knows me. He knows me as I really am, with my qualities and my faults. He knows me better than I know myself. And because He knows me perfectly well, He loves me. He has placed all things that were created by His hands at my disposal, so that I may use them to one day be with Him in Heaven.  

What Do I Say to Myself Based on This Reality? 

I think I can forget this truth, that the Father knows me and loves me, that He cares for me. I can look at my life, my circumstances, and fail to see the Father's care and love. I may be sad, discouraged, feeling alone. Where is the Father?  

I may also be so involved with my obligations and responsibilities that I spend all day doing things and think that everything is the work of my hands, of my labor. I forget that behind everything is the Father, who provides me with the means for my work and my sustenance.  

I can see that I am not as close to the Father as I would like to be. He loves me, He takes perfect care of me, and I do not reciprocate. I do not remember His love during the day; I live as if the Father is not by my side all the time. I hardly remember to say a morning or evening prayer, and when I do, it is often automatic, without affection, without love. 

How Do I Answer the Lord? 

The answer to this question will depend on what I have meditated on in relation to the previous questions. I can thank the Lord for always being with me, caring for me, and protecting me, even when I don't realize it. I can imagine that I am resting my head on His chest, feeling His warmth and being certain that everything works together for the good of those who love God.  

I can apologize for being so distracted and so far away and ask for His help in realizing, in the small and big things of my day, that the Lord is my Good Shepherd. I can also ask for forgiveness if I ever thought that God is not good, that He punishes, or that He rejoices in the suffering of His children.  

We conclude this moment of prayer by writing down the inspirations we have received in our personal notebooks. We pray a brief thanksgiving for having been able to spend a few minutes talking with our Father. We can make a resolution to meditate again the next day and ask our holy guardian angel to remind us throughout the day of these brief moments we have spent together. 

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Copyright 2025 Flávia Ghelardi
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