He’s the Shepherd, We’re the Sheep
Formation
Coordinator
~ When Jesus first told this story, he was using it to teach the people about the nature of God. Certainly, the Jews of his time knew God to be righteous, just, and powerful, but they did not often view God as merciful or tenderly loving. So most of the time, reflections on this Gospel focus on that: what does this passage teach us about God and what He will do for us?
I wonder, though, what this reading teaches us about being sheep. I mean, it’s good to understand God’s role as our shepherd, but ultimately, that’s not my role to grow in. I’m the sheep, and so I feel like I ought to spend at least some time figuring out what this Scripture can teach me about being a good one.
If I’m going to be a sheep that follows the voice of my shepherd, I have to know what that voice sounds like. I have to know it well enough that I can tell the difference between His voice, and the voice of others. In the Scripture, those others who lead the sheep away from the shepherd are nefarious types: thieves and robbers. I’d like to think that I know God well enough to not be fooled by the “bad guys,” but if I’m being honest, it’s the time when other shepherds call – voices that seemingly want to do good – that it’s hardest for me to discern whether it’s my shepherd calling or someone else. I have to be able to sort through noise, distractions, desires, movement of other sheep or people to find the Lord my shepherd and the direction He is calling me. Wow, that takes so much practice. Every time I think maybe I’ve got it figured out, I realize I don’t.
There’s a short video that went viral several years ago of a teenage boy pulling a sheep out of a deep and narrow trench in which the sheep was completely stuck. As soon as the sheep was free, it went bounding off, joyfully running and jumping away from the ditch – then it took a sharp right, a huge leap… and ended up right back in the same trench, just 20 feet from where it had been stuck before.
I identify so deeply with that poor sheep. Terribly stuck, completely unable to help myself, God frees me time and time again, and I go running off, fully of energy, joy, and confidence…until I end up stuck in exactly the same things again. This passage assures me: I can learn to hear that shepherd’s voice that will keep me out of that trench! But I still need more practice.
I’m working on learning my Shepherd’s voice by listening to Scripture, meeting Christ in the Sacraments, and seeking moments for prayerful listening. I always appreciate hearing His voice through the love and insights of the people around me. Thank you for being the flock I’m in. I am grateful we can all work on learning His voice, together.
Throughout the year, we present an article in the bulletin each week on a variety of topics, written by a member of our Parish staff or ministries on a rotating basis.
