I am the noble shepherd.
The noble shepherd lays down his life for the sake of the sheep.
The hired man (not being the shepherd and the sheep not belonging to him)
sees the wolf coming,
and deserts the sheep
and flees
and the wolf attacks them and scatters them.
He flees because he is a hired man and does not care about the sheep.
I am the noble shepherd,
and I know mine, and mine know me.
Just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father.
And I lay my life down for the sheep.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy,
For your mercy and for your truth’s sake. Amen