This coming Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is known as "Good Shepherd Sunday" because the readings, the Gospel in particular, point to Jesus as the Good Shepherd. It's a comforting image, but one that remains familiar while being rarely encountered in our own day. I know a man who raises sheep and goats, but I don't think he sees himself as a "shepherd." The image of God as shepherd is woven throughout the Hebrew Scriptures and the image of Jesus as shepherd is found in a number of places in the Christian Scriptures. Psalm 80 says this:
Psalm 80 (RSV translation)
Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;
sine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin,and Manasseh,
stir up your strength and come to help us.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
God is called upon and praised using the image of a shepherd. Some people object to being characterized as 'sheep', assuming that it means mindless following of a leader. This, however, is an incomplete image, for the shepherd/sheep image is a two-way one. The sheep follow the shepherd and know him because he has cared for them since they were young lambs. That is what attracts them to him. They know his voice or his whistle or whatever he uses to call them and they follow him. In a certain way, the sheep depend on the shepherd while the shepherd had dedicated his life to the flock.
In our present circumstances, we might pray this psalm (and all the psalms are meant to be prayed) asking our Good Shepherd to "stir up your strength and come to help us." Our need is great every day, and even more so now.
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| Remember, God gave us 'common sense' as well as grace. |
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| My father always told me that the Church was a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints. |
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| We need only practice the presence of God. |
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| Jesus our healer, have mercy on us! O Divine Physician, come to our aid! |
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