we are the flock

                                                           Eastertide: Day 22

Yesterday was the fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as "Good Shepherd Sunday." 

From my years of working with children (of all ages), I have learned to ask this simple question: 

"If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who is the flock? Who are the sheep?"  Believe it or not, I often get some blank stares. Not everyone understands that Jesus is making an analogy here. Some adults are even a bit insulted, thinking "aren't I a little more than a sheep?" It's always a good question to ask, and it takes a bit of sitting with, of mulling over, of thinking about someone who would lay down his life for you especially when there is an obvious and large distinction of worth: i.e. -  a human shepherd is worth more than a fluffy sheep. Jesus the Godman gave up his life for us.  

Just to be clear - Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We are his flock. Hence the picture above.