Scripture
Ezekiel 34:11-16
For thus says the Lord God:
I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Ignatian Reflection
Care of a Farrier
Sometimes while scrolling through Instagram, a truly random video will appear in my feed. Often I just continue to scroll by, but other times something will catch my attention. Such was the case with a video of a farrier carefully and gently tending to a sheep’s injured hoof. Now, my decidedly suburban lifestyle doesn’t put me in contact with many farm animals, but it was clear from man’s actions how much he cared for the animal.
Today’s readings show God in the role of a loving shepherd—the one who provides the best home for them (Ez 34:14), the one who protects them from evil (Ez 34:10), the one who seeks out the lost sheep (Lk 15:4). We, the sheep, are remarkably helpless in many ways, and rely on the care of our loving God. When I think of the time, effort, and concern that that farrier in the video put into a single sheep’s hoof, I can’t help but think how much more God puts into each of us. It is fitting that these are our readings for today’s feast, the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, as they show us the love of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
—Lauren Gaffey works in communications for both the Midwest Jesuits and the Office of Ignatian Spirituality.
Ignatian Prayer
Jun 27, 2025
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Let my heart never rest until it finds You,
who are its center, its love, and its happiness.
By the wound in Your heart pardon the sins that I have committed
whether out of malice or out of evil desires.
Place my weak heart in Your own divine Heart,
continually under Your protection and guidance,
so that I may persevere in doing good and in fleeing evil until my last breath.
Amen.
—St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
The Daily Examen is a prayer technique developed by St. Ignatius to help us reflect on the events of the day to discern God's presence and direction. When Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, he required the Jesuits to practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It's a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.
The Examen structure presented below is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. Click here for more information from our partners in ministry at Loyola Press.
Daily Examen
1. Become aware of God's presence
God, I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me.
2. Review the day with gratitude
God, you know my needs better than I know them. Give me your light and your help to see how you have been with me, both yesterday and today.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
God, help me to be grateful for the moments when people have affirmed me and challenged me. Help me to see how I have responded, and whether I have been kind to others and open to growth.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it
God, forgive me for when I have not done my best or have failed to treat others well. Encourage me, guide me, and continue to bless me.
5. Look toward tomorrow
As I look to the remainder of this day, make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to be the person you want me to be.
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