SOMETIMES  SHEEP, 

SOMETIMES  SHEPHERD. 

The title of my homily - better reflection - for this 4^th Sunday after Easter B, is, “Sometimes Sheep, Sometimes Shepherd.”

Sometimes I feel like a sheep - just one of the flock - just one of the crowd  - a nobody in the midst of a nameless flock.

Ever feel that way?

Sometimes I get lost on purpose - or do something dumb - so as to get some recognition in life - to get a good hug - to be held and told I worth while - or even to get yelled at. Doing that - at least I’m noticed and get some attention - even if this way is negative.

Sometimes I feel like a shepherd. All the responsibilities are up to me. 

Just when all is settled down after a long day on the road - or in the field -  in the sun and dust and the dirt - just when I’m ready to go to sleep for the night - I discover - when I do the pen count - one sheep is missing. I mutter a sad  “Uh oh” or a mad “Oh no!” 

The pen count is 99 - not 100.

One sheep is lost. One sheep is missing.

I think this is what it must be like for parents when their kids are out and they don’t know where they are. Lots of “uh oh’s” - lots of  possible “Oh no’s!” -  lots of “I wonder if.”

This is what it must be like when a wife or a husband is wondering where the other is in the night.

Then as shepherd I start shouting out in the dark - yelling into the dark,  “Where are you? Where are you?”

Then when I find my lost sheep, I  see the blood and cuts from hillside brambles  - along with dry blood - on my lost sheep' light brown wool.

Then when I get back home to the pen, I can hear the whining tones of “Baa, baa, baa" - from the 99 who didn't mess up.”

The Good Shepherd has seen this same thing happen in his own family when a brother or a sister is lost - and everyone is upset till the lost sheep is found  He thinks every family - every flock - must go through these moments of tension. “Oh no, not again.”

We have a niece who dropped out of the family - and we all have felt the pain that comes to a lost family.

If they ever return, the Good Shepherd can see how sheepish a lost sheep can be.

Then there is the hired hand syndrome. People who rent or borrow - can be guilty of this one. A shepherd has a problem. Sometimes something comes up. There is a death, a funeral, or a wedding comes up. This means he has to come up with a hired hand.

The sheep don’t recognize his voice. He’s just not the same as their shepherd.  Things are not as personal.

Ever notice how nervous sheep are with strangers?

Okay, you've never been hired to be a shepherd. Well, you might be familiar with the following situation. You're walking along and you see a little kid standing there or in their carriage. You're a stranger. You stop to say, "Hi." You wave to this little kid. The kid immediately turns to their parents eye or runs to their parents reach for their parents arm or leg for support. They immediately try to connect with their parent. They immediately nudge their way to someone they know much more than a stranger.

Ever notice this?  Did this ever happen to you?

Ever notice how some babysitters are very personal. The kid or kids they are waiting for after school to babysit can’t wait to see their face. This babysitter is so nice that they love it when their parents are going to a wedding - for a weekend. This babysitter plays with them. This babysitter loves her job. She's doing it for money - but she also loves kids.

So kids - like sheep - know whether the hired babysitter or shepherd of substitute parent really cares about them. Little kids and babies know whether granny or grandpa is happy to be with them - or whether they are being used by their parents and resentment is rampant. They feel stuck with the kids AGAIN.

Unconsciously they know motives about teachers, coaches, doctors, nurses, clergy, whoever is caring for them at the moment.

How do we see ourselves and how to we treat those in our care?

Good shepherd or hired hand?

Cute sheep or dumb animal?

Let's add: sheep or wolf? Sheep or goat?

So this comes down to how we see life - what our attitudes are - who we are - how we think?

Sometimes a shepherd is all heart - knowing he's about to sell 100 sheep to a butcher to sell in the marketplace. 

Sometimes a shepherd is a philosopher - seeing all of life in his life. Sacrifice is front and center for the life of a sheep and shepherd. These sheep are here to give wool and these sheep are going to sheared - and nights can be cold in the fields without their wool coats. These sheep are going to give not only the skin off their backs - but their bodies to feed a family.

Sometimes a shepherd is a preacher - and a prophet - knowing the bible texts - about who the good shepherds are - and who the selfish and non-caring are.

The title of my homily is, "Sometimes Sheep,  Sometimes Shepherds."

Hopefully never wolf or hired hand.

Hopefully cornerstone or sometimes one of the stones that build up the home - but that's another metaphor and another sermon - for another day. Amen.