“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (John 10:14)
We are the sheep of his flock, and some say that sheep are not very smart. Here are some interesting facts about sheep. They are followers who recognize/remember the faces and voices of those who care for them (even up to 2 years). They remember who treats them well or harshly. They can feel angry, afraid, bored, sad, and happy. They have been known to be pessimistic and optimistic. They find strength in numbers and always surround themselves with at least 5 to 6 other sheep. They are very social and extroverted animals who don’t do well alone.
I guess it’s unsurprising that Jesus calls himself the good shepherd who knows his flock, but do we know him? Do we know Him enough to stay close to him and the flock? Do we recognize his voice, his face in one another? Do we look out for each other recognizing others’ fears, anxieties and staying with them? Maybe at times, we are the one who wanders away yet trusts that the Good Shepherd will bring us back to the fold.
Sr. Rose Marie O’Barski, CSFN
