The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, in these words prophesy to them to the shepherds: Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep? You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost, but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered for the lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered and wandered over all the mountains and high hills; my sheep were scattered over the whole earth, with no one to look after them or to search for them.
For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. Ez 34:1-6. 11
God gives difficult word about shepherds. This passage should lead to reflection by all the people. We have to care about people who are lost. We are responsible for the community in which we live.
Lord Jesus, I’m sorry for my mistakes in the ministry of the shepherd. Keep in the care of those who were lost.