The icon that has been created for the Year of Mercy contains a beautiful image of the Risen Christ, as the Good Shepherd, carrying on His shoulders a young man who represents the lost soul. Beneath Christ is seen an image of Mary, the Mother of Mercy, who embraces the whole world with her love. Beneath Mary, to her left, are to be seen figures from the Bible who themselves encountered God’s mercy— the Samaritan women, Zaccheaus, Matthew, the Woman who anointed Jesus’ feet, the Prodigal Son, the Repentant Thief, St. Peter, and the Parable of the Lost Coin. Beneath the Blessed Mother, to the right, are the saints who have been witnesses to Christ’s continuing mercy through the life of His Church, like Mother Theresa of Calcutta, St. Maximillian Kolbe and St. Theresa of Lisieux. I have put a copy of this beautiful image in this week’s bulletin for those who wish to use it to pray with. It is hard to think of a better image for the Year of Mercy than the Good Shepherd. This beautiful image speaks to us of God’s compassion and presence with all people in their time of difficulty and need. It proclaims the desire on God’s part to support us and carry us at those times in our life when we are tired and find things difficult. The fact that in our own Church there is an image of the Good Shepherd over the tabernacle, points to the strength and comfort that we are to find in Christ’s presence in our lives through the Sacraments of the Church. Continue reading →
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