Gathered by grace

The Gospel for this Sunday features sheep and goats.

While both are domesticated farm animals, the truth is, sheep and goats are quite different. Since I am neither a shepherd of sheep nor goats, I know that I am venturing way outside of my own pasture, but here goes…

It seems to me that sheep are far more vulnerable, therefore, far more needful of a shepherd. Might goats be smarter? Quicker? Nimbler? More self-sufficient? Better able to flee from or ward off an attack?

And yet, again and again the Bible either compares God's beloved to sheep or asks us to be sheep. Even as we work at deluding ourselves into believing that we are utterly capable, independent and autonomous, our Good Shepherd reminds us otherwise. As it turns out, that is good news.

Pastor Leah