Jeremiah 3:14-17 / Matthew 13:18-23
Along the journey of life, we will certainly need some care and love.
Presumably, this would come from our parents and those who look after us.
Those who show us care and love help us to believe in the goodness of the world we live in and give us the hope to build a caring and loving world.
More importantly, they are signs and witnesses of God's care and love for us.
In the the 1st reading, God made this promise to His people: I will give you shepherds after my own heart.
Yes, God wants to raise up leaders for us so that they can show us God's care and love.
So our leaders, secular and spiritual leaders, have this great responsibility and duty to be that sign and witness of God's care and love.
And if they have failed in that duty and responsibility, then we on our part must also pray for them that they may be faithful and persevere in carrying out their mission.
We want to believe that they are appointed by God for this mission and hence it is also our duty to pray for them.
Together with our leaders, may we become a more caring and loving people.