Shepherds following the one Shepherd
The true shepherd is he who, by his goodness, zeal and prayer, is able to seek out and restore to the right way those reasonable sheep who are lost. The pilot is one who has obtained, by the grace of God and his own labors, a spiritual strength that enables him to rescue his vessel not only from tempestuous seas but from the deep abyss itself. The doctor is one who has achieved health of body and soul and has no need of any remedy for them.
A good pilot saves his ship and a good shepherd restores to life and heals his ailing sheep. When the sheep are out at pasture, let the shepherd not cease to make use of the flute of the word, especially when the flock are making ready to sleep. For the wolf fears nothing so much as the shepherds flute. Inasmuch as the sheep have faithfully followed the shepherd and made progress, so will he answer for them before the Master of the household.
It is charity that discloses the true shepherd since it is out of charity that the great shepherd of the sheep willed to be crucified.
St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori