Yesterday was Good Shepherd Sunday in many churches and it is the custom to read passages such as the 23rd Psalm and verses from the gospel of John where Jesus refers to himself as both the good shepherd and the sheepgate. There is a beloved parable in Luke about a shepherd who leaves the ninety nine sheep in the fold to seek the one lost sheep, and there are a number of "sheepish" hymns and anthems.
Few of us know shepherds anymore, so the metaphor that worked so well in biblical times might be somewhat mystifying for modern sensibilities. At St. Paul's we had Farmer Jim for years and I made the mistake of getting him to bring a lamb one Good Shepherd Sunday for the Children's Time. What was I thinking? The kids totally ignored me. Jim is retired now, although he still keeps some sheep.
Our long-time farm friends are retiring as well, preparing to sell their two hundred or so acre farm north of Sharbot Lake. It is a gorgeous spot with plenty of frontage on the Mississippi River, but beauty doesn't pay the bills or do the chores. As they age they look forward to a less demanding lifestyle, although they find it hard to imagine moving from their lovely land. a younger couple came to see the farm yesterday, appropriate given the liturgical day.
The coincidence of Good Shepherd Sunday and Earth Sunday may have been overlooked by many, but it is an opportunity to consider the earthiness of so many of Jesus' parables and the agrarian economy his listeners knew so well. The theme of Earth Day in 2013 is the important issue of climate change, but it is also important to remember that we all have to eat. Where would we be without those who produce our food, including those lamb chops?
Happy Earth Day. Remember all those good shepherds and other farmers as you follow the Good Shepherd.
Do you know any farmers? Do you buy food from those who produce it? Is it worthwhile to connect Good Shepherd Sunday and Earth Sunday?
I'd never actually heard of Good Shepard Sunday. I can relate to your friends' experience in that I seem to see that kind of thing happens locally more and more over the years.
ReplyDeleteTimimg was wonderful for our Sunday School kids to reflect on Psalm 23 yesterday morning. The evil of the Boston bombing fresh in their minds we talked about that and other tween worries and then had a chance to remember that God didn't promise us an easy, perfect life but promised to be with us through it all, as a shepherd with their sheep.
ReplyDeleteLast night the teens helped lead a presbytery youth service where we reflected on finding themes of our faith in current music...sheep came into that too...as they pondered the lyrics of "Home" by Phil Phillips they found a parallel to the parable of the one lost sheep....and the comfort of finding their 'home" again and again in God no matter how lost they sometimes felt...what a priviledge to share life with these young "sheep".
I drive by a local farmer preparing their farmstand for opening next week....I look forward to their fresh produce and friendly service.