Leading by the Shepherd's example

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today recognizes the Chair of Saint Peter. Peter was chosen by Jesus to shepherd the “flock” of believers after Jesus death. Matthew writes of Peter’s bold profession of faith to Jesus as they journeyed to Jerusalem to encounter Jesus destiny. Deep trust rings in peter’s proclamation and Jesus echoes this trust declaration by entrusting the direction of the believers to Peter. The part of the letter of Peter in the Lectionary reveals that the advice that Peter gives others who shepherd is to be as God, the loving Father, in exercising authority with enthusiasm, using example to permit the flock to freely choose the direction of the shepherd. The 23rd psalm is the expression of the leadership of God through our indwelling Spirit to those who trust faithfully.