As my Examen of Consciousness unfolded this week, gazing upon the image I paused on the figure of the shepherdess. If that shepherdess is me how am I respecting the “sheep-ness” of those in my life, from the smile I offer to people that I meet in my neighborhood out on a walkabout to those are in my care, as a spiritual director, as a listener to someone’s 5th-step as …..There is a consenting to “see” as God sees, a long pause here….. I have always been drawn to the fringes, searching out the one not finding their belonging in the Church. Perhaps many years of humility, humiliation, powerlessness are smoothing the rough edges though “consenting”. Pausing now on the eve of a new liturgical year, I consent………