The Rev. Robert Lundquist Easter IVA 4/17/05 St Paul’s, Ft Collins

Have you had any experience as a shepherd? Spent any time with sheep? Since there are at most 2 such folks in any gathering around these parts, I suspect we have largely lost the sense of the metaphor used in today’s readings. From our 21^st century mindset and presuppositions about sheep, we don’t actually want to be compared to sheep. For they are not at all bright, easily led, and “high maintenance.”

But the image of shepherd was a powerful one in Jesus’ time. David and Moses were both shepherds at one time, so the association with leadership was clear. Anyone hearing Jesus’ words as related by John would have had the 23^rd Psalm firmly in mind. It remains our most beloved and comforting psalm. Let’s tease it apart a bit:

1. The Lord, as a wise and good shepherd, will meet all my needs, even before I ask. Even when I don’t know any better, I will be cared for.

2. “He leads me beside green pastures…” That is, the shepherd finds fresh grass for my food and a cool place in the desert, where I may be fed. “He leads me beside still waters…” Sheep are anxious creatures, so the calmness of the water is important. Sheep actually will not drink from flowing water, so the stillness is essential. It is a wise shepherd indeed who soothes my anxiety.

3. The Shepherd revives my soul and guides me. Sheep need guidance – when unshorn they are unable to right themselves if they fall.

4. The valley of the shadow of death is an actual locating, a place in which the sun rarely shines due to the angle of the valley and the steepness of the walls. Those who sang these psalms in Hebrew would picture the valley and see the good shepherd accompanying them from one end to the other.

The shepherd was equipped with 2 tools – a rod, or cudgel, to fend off enemies of the flock. The staff is the shepherd’s crook, one of the symbols of the office of Bishop. About 5 – 6 feet tall, the staff is curved on one end and pointed on the straight end. The crook is to help in rescuing wayward sheep; the pointed end is to guide and discipline them as needed.

Notice the shift between verses 4 and 5 from sheep metaphor to human imagery…

5. The table is set for the feast – with chairs and plates, one might presume. We see this as the communion table, where we are fed by the Lord. Even in the presence of those who care nothing for me, God nurtures and comforts me. We are reminded that we live in the midst of abundance, not scarcity. My head is anointed with oil which runs down my beard, and my cup overflows due to God’s generosity. One Christian, asked if the cup was half empty or half full, responded, “It’s running over!”

6. All these are forever things – I get to dwell with God always.

The imagery of the psalm walks us from metaphor to reality…

The psalm is the basis for Jesus’ teaching today. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice, for they’ve experienced the goodness and are familiar with the wisdom. This is why we offer Faith Formation classes! We want our children to learn the voice, and we want to remember the voice.

A story is told of two British gentlemen debating the proper way to raise children. The host held that youngsters should be raised in a faith, baptized and instructed from birth. The other replied, “Nonsense! Children should be allowed to mature without the influence of faith until they are of the age of majority, when they can choose for themselves.” The conversation continued on a variety of subjects. After a while the host asked, “Would you like to visit my garden?” His guest was quite interested… until the French doors were thrown open. “Why, it’s nothing but a jumble of weeds and vines!” he exclaimed. “Yes,” said the host, “my wife and I decided to let the garden choose for itself what it would become.”

We teach our children about Stranger Danger – to stay away from unknown people, to report bad touches, to not get into cars with strangers. Jesus warns us to recognize the thief, the one who means us harm. And most importantly to recognize the voice of the good shepherd. The Shepherd knows you by your name, not as “Hey, you!” You are the one whom God says, “I knew you in your mother’s womb.” Jeremiah 1:5

As we grow in our capacity to recognize the Shepherd’s voice, we must also develop our own ability to recognize lost sheep. Remember the parable of the 100 sheep? One becomes lost, and Jesus tells of the shepherd who leaves the 99 to search for the 1. Now this is not good business advice. Ever hear of “acceptable losses” or “shrinkage?” Nevertheless, Jesus’ compassion is with the one lost soul.

A student, fulfilling a requirement for community service, found himself helping at a clothing bank for the poor. Volunteers were bringing in donations at the same time as the student was serving the clients. It was a bitterly cold, snowy day – folks came in shivering and left with coats, shoes, sweaters and clothing to guard them from the weather. The last one to the counter was obviously a homeless man. “Do you have any shoes for me?” He showed his feet, with old sneakers barely held together with twine. His toes, wet and white, were poking through holes. The young man went looking for shoes, only to return to say, “I’m really sorry, but we only have children’s shoes left.” Dejected, the man began to turn away when one of the volunteers spoke up. “Here’s a pair that just came in, they might fit you.” Sturdy boots were brought forth, a perfect fit for the man. Pulling them on with fresh socks, he strode proudly into the cold. The student thought little more of it until he saw the volunteer heading to his car. On his feet now were the wet and ragged sneakers. He had given his own shoes – and some dignity – to the man on the street. The volunteer knows the Shepherd’s voice. And the student was awakened to the power of that voice.

And so we return to the power of the Psalm, knowing better the truth of “the Lord is my Shepherd – I have all that I need.”

Amen

A Parish For All People!