Scripture
John 10: 11-18
Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
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
Recognizing Our Shepherd
“I know mine and mine know me.”
I’ve heard it said that sheep are not very smart when it comes to survival. They wander; they get stuck; they trip and fall; they are easily stolen if the thief knows how to herd them. A shepherd friend once told me about a lamb who needed extra care. When it was older, a thief stole it along with several others. The shepherd was visiting another farm on business a year later. When that sheep heard his voice, it would not stop bleating until the shepherd came to find it.
Sheep may not be very smart, but they recognize the voice of the one who cares for them. Jesus knew Peter and Peter knew him, well enough to recognize the Holy Spirit’s movement in a group of outsiders, and to realize that he could not limit how God wanted to give. How do we recognize our Shepherd in unexpected places?
—Molly Mattingly is the Music Ministry Coordinator at Creighton University Campus Ministry and St. John’s Parish in Omaha.
Ignatian Prayer
Apr 27, 2026
Prayer
O Peter, if you love me, you must care for my sheep;
if you follow your Shepherd, then a shepherd you’ll be.
—“Two Were Bound for Emmaus” by Bob Hurd, verse 3
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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