Sacred Heart 2025

Combining today's readings on the Good Shepherd with this Sunday's readings in which Paul competes well for the faith:

On those who can't complete the race,
have mercy, Lamb of God.
For those who cannot keep the faith
lift up your staff and rod.
On all those lost along the way,
who wait to see the break of day,
or who stand here in need of grace,
have mercy, Lamb of God.

On those who fled in cloud and dark,
have mercy, shepherd Christ.
Whom fear has driven far apart,
let them be reconciled.
Seek them beneath the moon and stars
and bring them to the burning spark
that shines forever from your heart
of mercy, shepherd Christ.

On those who can no more withstand,
O Lamb of God, grant peace.
Whose bodies sink on Jordan's strand—
Oh, let their striving cease!—
or trembling now before you stand
and know their time is close at hand,
who long to see the promised land,
O Lamb of God, grant peace.

Agnus Dei c. 1635–1640, by Francisco de Zurbarán, Prado Museum - http://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/online-gallery/on-line-gallery/obra/agnus-dei-the-lamb-of-god/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=160338