Cycle A 4th Sunday Easter

Cycle A 4th Sunday Easter 2011

It is neat that one of the most cherished bible ANALOGIES of how man is to approach God and life and how God wants to relate to man, comes to us from the often used words of SHEEP and SHEPHERD.

Have you any experience with sheep? I have; 1 Lamb but 1 goat as well. Sheep are basic to middle East cultures. The Hebrew people were nomadic sheepherders before living in Egypt. In Jesus time they were still very important, both economically and religiously. Many Israelite people had gravitatedto cities and towns, but still it is accurate to say, some herds were counted in the millions. In the year 70 AD historians noted 250,000 lambs were slaughtered in the temple area for the feast of the Passover.

When using of SHEEP as a ANALOGY for man, there are some interesting points to ponder. In small herds, the sheep were given names. When taught well, the sheep obeyed the shepherd when called them by name; with prompt obedience leave the pasture and companions and run up to the hands of the shepherd with signs of pleasure. It’s also true that if a stranger came, they would NOT FOLLOW, BUT FLEE. Sheep in scripture were an emblem of MEEKNESS, PATIENCE and SUBMISSION. Jesus typifies these qualities when called the ‘Lamb of God’.

We also have the ANALOGY of the ‘SHEPHERD’ of the flock for those who lead in families, but also in religious circle as Pastor for the people.. In scripture many major characters: Abel, Abraham, Moses, and David were all shepherds.

Every shepherd had TOOLS of the trade. A shepherd had a BAG to carry his rations. A SLING for protection. A FLUTE for entertainment. A CLOAK for weather or sleeping. A ROD and a STAFF for working the herd.

Shepherds had DAILY routines/duties for the sheep. Every morning he led his flock from the fold, which he did by going before them and calling to them. If one or more herds were together, only his sheep would follow his guttural command. Arriving at the pasture he watched the flock, maybe with the assistance of a dog. And should any sheep stray, he had to search for it until he found it.

About NOON he supplied them with water, either at a running stream or at troughs attached to wells. After a rest, he took them back to pasture. In the EVENING he brought them back to the fold, and counted all to see that none were missing, as the sheep passed under the ROD, as they entered the sheep gate. And to complete the daily circle of jobs, he watched the entrance of the sheep fold through out the NIGHT, acting as the PORTER.

The shepherd’s office was a full time job and thus required great WATCHFULNESS , particularly by night when thieves and wild animals prowled about. It also required tenderness toward the young and the feeble, particularly in driving them to and from the pasture. In large establishments there were various grades of shepherds, the highest being called ‘RULER’ or ‘CHIEF SHEPHERD’. In a royal household, the title‘MIGHTY’ was bestowed on the person who held the post.

In the bible, there are other analogies like Vineyards, Fishing, Pearl Merchants. Mother Hens, or Yeast. How much do you know about these? So as I break open the Scriptures on Sheep, I hope you felt a deeper appreciation of this analogy. Today, this sheep/shepherd analogy was used twice. While no analogy gives a perfect picture, still the analogy is used to denote God’s care for his people and His discipline to correct the wandering sheep. And when metaphors like ‘Sheep in need of a shepherd’, are used along with the analogy, it helps to show how humans have a tendency to put ourselves into danger’s way and demonstrate an inability to guide and take care of ourselves apart from the direct power and leading of God.

All of our readings today come to us from the New Testament. Each drawing heavily upon the Sheep/Shepherd analogy or showing us Shepherding action. In the first reading from Acts, Peter BOLTS to the forefront in the church on Pentecost. The day the Holy Spirit gave birth to the Church. Peter as shepherd preaches the ‘Good News’ and gathers about 3000 members to the flock that day. In the reading from Peter, as church spokesman, we see the Teaching and Leadership roles of Peter. He was talking to people who were SLAVES, each having their master. So in his SHEPHERDS role, he tells them to be SUBMISSIVE (Sheep like) to their masters. And also, that while they were not of the flock or church right now, they too were saved by Jesus’ death on the cross. In the Gospel, Jesus the ’MIGHTY Shepherd’ takes us back to Pre-Easter time.

These verses were a continuance of His encounter with the ‘Shepherds of the Israel’. the Pharisees. When Jesus healed the ‘Man Born Blind’ in the temple, the Pharisees accused Jesus of not following the Sabbath Law. This becomes the breaking point, where Jesus tells them, they are no longer the leaders or shepherds of the people. He accuses them of being thieves. And not caring for the flock. Then Jesus tells us all, that He is the PORTER to the sheep gate. He will not allow false teachers.

We all are SHEEP, so the spiritual point which should flow from this Sunday is CLEAR. WE have many GOOD SHEEP, but some sheep in the church are stubborn and hard to handle (they don’t come to church, receive the sacraments or pray), some are straying to pastures near lurking, hidden dangers, (they rather be vacationing, playing golf or sleeping), some have been maimed by some ‘WILD ANIMALS’ and maybe even killed, (addictions or indifference to marriage rules). They are not listening to the VOICE of the Shepherds in the church. And therefore are not flocking with the herd. And it makes it harder for the shepherd to teach and care for all. We must be out looking for them. Those Sheep that have sensed the Shepherds love and care and listen to his voice are obviously living more secure.

Many of us are also SHEPHERDS. Shepherding requires a 24/7 attitude. And when the job IS NOT TAKEN seriously, or are LULLED into a false sense of ‘All’s Well’, that’s when lambs and sheep are lost. Shepherds must perform their jobs well and know the NEEDS of their sheep. Shepherds must TEACH and CALL them by name, Employ the tools (sacraments and sacramentals) of the trade and lead the sheep in their Daily routine. People, like sheep when loved and cared for, are happier, calmer and more contented.

Today let us pray for both our little lambs and our shepherds. Thankfully both have the ‘LAMB OF GOD’ and the ‘MIGHTY SHEPHERD’ to imitate.

(Addendum for high school graduates) As little lambs grow into young rams and ewes, they do venture out on their own. Congratulations to you 2011 graduates. The next few years will be a test ofyour meekness, patience and submissiveness to God and His church. Remember that you have been named and called, taught and lead by Jesus and His church.As Shepherds in your lives, we pray that you never wander far from the Love Christ Gives and the demands of a disciplined life in Church. Truly, remaining in the fold, will be the mark of success you will be judged on in this life.