"The Lord is my shepherd.... He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters" (Psalm 23:1-3)

The Lord is my shepherd.... He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters (Psalm 23:1-3).

He who leads and teaches is called a "shepherd" and those who are led and taught are called the "flock" (Arcana Coelestia 343).

The operation of the Divine Providence for the salvation of a person begins at his birth and continues right on to the end of his life, and afterwards to eternity (Divine Providence 332).

The Lord is a Shepherd to us all, and we are His sheep. Like a shepherd, the Lord watches over us day and night. He feeds us, providing natural and spiritual nourishment. The Lord takes every opportunity to show us the way to heaven and lead our footsteps upward, but He also gives us freedom. We can choose to go our own way, becoming lost or threatened by the serious problems we must face. But the Lord is always with us. No matter how lost we become, He reaches out to us, seeking to rescue us.

The way in which the Lord leads us is called Divine Providence. Through His Providence, the Lord leads each individual in the best possible way, always leaving him or her in freedom to accept or reject His love and wisdom. When we follow the Lord's leading and cooperate with His Divine Providence then we are led toward the heavenly states of peace and contentment. We hope the materials here will help you look to the Lord as your Shepherd, seeking to lead you to green pastures and still waters.

Highlights for this month include

Concept Article: "The Order of Divine Providence" by the Rev. Frederick L. Schnarr

Poster: The Twenty-third Psalm (for all ages) (PDF)

The Lord Is My Shepherd by the Rev. Patrick A. Rose

Project: Make a Stuffed Lamb Toy (teens and adults for young children) (PDF)

"The Little Lost Lamb" a story for preschoolers by Wendinne Buss (PDF)

Spiritual Task: I Am the Door (PDF)

Game: Stream of Providence (for ages 5-10) (PDF)