Good Shepherd, Good Sheep

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, an annual recognition of Christ as shepherd and all things sheepish. I really appreciate the Shepherd/Sheep imagery of scripture even though we are moving away from our agricultural roots and our individualistic mindset makes us a little contemptuous of the notion of being the sheep of anyone's pasture.

One of my colleagues commented earlier in the week: "I don't want to be a sheep, they're so stupid!" Researchers have realized that while sheep have a herd/flock mentality it doesn't mean the are dumb. I've share in sermons that one farmer in Britain was puzzled by the escape of his sheep from a fenced field with a cattle grate which should have kept them "taking it on the lamb." A video camera helped them discover that the sheep had figured out how to roll across the grate and get up on the other side. This sounds rather clever to me.

I consider myself to be a reasonably intelligent person, but my experience is that whether it is creative enterprises, or in musical expression, or in living out faith, being part of a flock is a good thing. I'm also humble enough, at least some of the time, to accept that having a Shepherd who seeks my highest good is better than me just wandering around in the wilderness.

Comments?