R.  The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock. Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, he guards them as a shepherd his flock. R.  The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock. (Jer 31)

Pope Francis has used the scriptural image of the shepherd and the sheep to speak about the church’s ministers. As he says, the shepherd should smell of the flock. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me . . . and I will lay down my life for the sheep” (Jn 10:14-15).