Lord, grant to this poor under-shepherd,
Entrusted to care for your Kingdom flock,
The discernment to see our spiritual wounds,
The wisdom to know how to treat them,
And the courage to carry it through.
Lord, grant to this poor under-shepherd
The humility to submit to your Spirit
When you speak through your Word, your flock,
And the holy wisdom of tradition.
May I bear a heart that rises not to the defense
Of my own embattled pride,
But accepts from you the toilsome grace
Of being a servant of the Servant of All.
Let me attend, O Lord,
To the steps of my Shepherd,
And may the path I follow
Bear more of him
Than it does of me.