Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

"The Good Shepherd"

On this feast of the Sacred Heart the theme seems to definitely be that of Christ the Good Shepherd. All the Gospels speak of shepherds or sheep many times over. John especially speaks to this theme. There, Jesus himself states that, “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and they know me.” Jesus also says there that he will lay down his life for his sheep, echoing today’s passage from Romans. Today’s gospel passage from Luke 15, the parable of the Lost Sheep (this chapter also contains the parable of the Prodigal Son, that greatest example of God’s love for the lost sheep), is the only parable that involves sheep. It also appears with a slightly different conclusion in Matthew 18.

In that parable, the shepherd is depicted as leaving the ninety-nine sheep of his flock to go in search of the one lost sheep and upon finding it, rejoices heartily. Luke says that heaven will rejoice more for this one lost “sheep” that was found than for all the rest that remained with the flock and Matthew says that it is always God’s desire that just such “little ones” should never remain lost.

I have never met an actual shepherd, nor have I ever read a “Shepherd’s Manual” or anything else describing the job. But I would guess that actual shepherds would tell you that if a sheep wandered far off before it was noticed, then it would unfortunately be on its own. How could the shepherd leave the fold to go off in search of one foolish enough to wander away? How could the shepherd leave the flock vulnerable to wolves, falling off the cliff as they wander aimlessly, getting stuck in briars or all the other dangers that are ever present? He’d return with the one (or maybe not!) to find dozens of others now lost or worse. It doesn’t seem to make sense.
Yet, that is how the Lord describes himself as the Good Shepherd. Jesus is able somehow to seek out the lost one without endangering the flock. And he brings that one back upon his shoulders, greatly rejoicing. It is a beautiful image of God’s love and care for us. That is what this feast day of the heart of Christ is all about. That God loves us, even when we were lost in our sins. That God will always love us, even if we become lost again. That God will always lead us home.

But it also very much implies that we are sheep. I’ve really only encountered sheep at petting zoos, although I once saw a great many of them crossing the road in front of us during a trip to northern Scotland. They seem to be among the less intelligent of beasts. They are quite passive and rather meek. They also tend to smell bad. They aren’t the most flattering beast to identify with as would be the lion, the eagle or the tiger. No sports team ever called themselves The Sheep! But that is who Jesus compares us to. That is because the primary thing sheep do (besides eat continuously) is to follow. They follow the shepherd. They follow him or her wherever they lead them. Sheep never ask the shepherd, “Where are we going? ” They never ask, “Why are we going this way?” They do not complain about the path or the journey. They are not worried about where they are journeying to. I imagine that if the shepherd was foolish enough to lead them over a cliff, the sheep would simply meekly, unquestionably follow. Sheep have no fear when they are following their shepherd.

The question for us is, are we willing to be sheep and follow the Good Shepherd without questioning, grumbling, doubting or rebelling? Are we willing to put our entire trust in the Shepherd, fully believing that he would never lead us wrong and that his love for us is totally unconditional, wanting only the very best for us? Or do we think that we know better where we are to go? I don’t know about you, but whenever I have followed my own way, it has never turned out well. There is another short parable about the blind leading the blind! Pray always for the willingness to follow the Shepherd with complete trust, complete abandon. By ever following, which is the same as saying, God’s will be done, we can never go wrong, never get lost, never wander in darkness or in vain. It can only lead to one place (Psalm 23 speaks eloquently of it), love, peace, joy and the fullness of life. There is a word for that. It is called salvation!