What was once considered a very useful analogy and is still regarded as one of the best descriptions of Jesus Christ and the church is that of the Good Shepherd. Christ, in the Gospels, projects himself as the Good Shepherd, who leads his flock with tender loving care.
Today I heard someone joking about the offence some individuals have taken against this parable and its description... not of Jesus as the shepherd, but of equating the people as sheep. Mere, dumb sheep?? Now that's an affront to some who would consider themselves more than "meek, silent, and ignorant" sheep. That too needing one to 'herd' them! Now that's too much!
Well, I always thought it should be the priests who should take offence at this description. My perspective being, that priests (and clergy/religious) should not think, they know it all! As shepherd we are called to take care. Not boss over! In that sense, never look down on those whom we serve as "brainless or dumb". That certainly is not the characteristic of a 'good shepherd'.
Today I heard someone joking about the offence some individuals have taken against this parable and its description... not of Jesus as the shepherd, but of equating the people as sheep. Mere, dumb sheep?? Now that's an affront to some who would consider themselves more than "meek, silent, and ignorant" sheep. That too needing one to 'herd' them! Now that's too much!
Well, I always thought it should be the priests who should take offence at this description. My perspective being, that priests (and clergy/religious) should not think, they know it all! As shepherd we are called to take care. Not boss over! In that sense, never look down on those whom we serve as "brainless or dumb". That certainly is not the characteristic of a 'good shepherd'.
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