Scripture Reflection, April 29: The Good Shepherd

Scripture Readings
Acts 13: 14, 43-52
Psalm 100
Revelation: 7: 9, 14-17
John 10: 27-30

Herbie, a Bearded Border Collie in England, captured my attention last Sunday. I was watching the television show, Nature, which told the story about training often neglected, strong-willed dogs. Although incredibly cute and lovable looking, Herbie was a home wrecker, and the family who first had him just could not figure out a way to incorporate his over-active and fiercely independent manner into their home. A woman who had a sheep farm took Herbie in with the hope of training him for work with her herd. The show ended happily with Herbie performing as a good shepherd dog, but not without a lot of time, energy and commitment on the part of the owner.

When watching this show, I could not help but draw parallels between Herbie’s relationship with his owner and our relationships with Jesus. Like Jesus’ relationship with us, the owner never gave up on Herbie, even when he continually succumbed to his natural urges as a dog. When the owner first started training Herbie, she gave him a simple test using a ball. She held the ball into the air, encouraging the dog to jump. She wanted Herbie to simply paw and nose the ball, but he bit into it and held the ball in his jaws. This failure demonstrated that Herbie would let his temptations and immediate urges get the better of him when he was on duty. Shepherd dogs guide the herd using their physical presence and bark, not bite. As explained in the show, dogs’ hunting instincts are strong when faced with the opportunity of a prized lamb. Good shepherd dogs refrain from those urges and remember their responsibilities to keep watch over the herd.

Like Herbie, we humans often succumb to our urges to meet our individual needs first, even at the expense of others. Those of us living in the United States have become accustomed to a fair amount of personal freedom, and often we are proud to say we are in control of our lives and our futures. Today’s Gospel then becomes a challenge for us. As it reads, “Jesus said: ‘My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me.’” Entering into a relationship with Jesus, then, can pose a problem for those of us who prize our independence. Being compared to an animal that needs to be led can be demeaning because in our minds’ eyes we are Herbie—the independent dog naturally following his instincts at hunting for self-preservation. We want to be strong, powerful and in control of our own lives.

But the story of Herbie’s eventual success as a shepherd dog can be a lesson for us. The owner who worked so closely with Herbie did not undo his instincts or erase his personality as an active and strong-willed dog. She challenged Herbie to channel his energy towards protecting the herd, instead of instantly satisfying his urges. In the end Herbie was able to use his natural gifts of physical presence to control the herd, and he happily lived with the owner and other dogs on the farm.

Jesus as our shepherd respects our personal freedom, and even our deep desires and dreams for ourselves. He does not expect us to give up our right to make personal choices, but as the stories and parables found throughout the Gospels show, Jesus does expect that our actions support the good of the community and respect the lives of the people living around us. We are responsible for using our natural gifts and honing our skills for building the kingdom of God. We are to follow a Good Shepherd, and likewise, we are to be a good shepherd.

Questions for reflection

1) Who have been the good shepherds in your life?
2) What keeps you from following the call of Christ?
3) How have you been a good shepherd to others?

JoEllen Windau