The Repose of our Venerable Father Theodosius, Hegumen of the Monastery of the Caves at Kyiv and Organizer of the Cenoebitic (Common) Life in Rus? (1074) and the Holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura (286-305)
Read
Acts 14:20-27; Hebrews 13:7-16
John 9:39-10:9; Matthew 11:27-30
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Most of us who live in urban North America rarely encounter farm animals. When we do it is usually cows, pigs and chickens. Not often do we see sheep, since they are not our preferred meat of choice. In the Gospels they are mentioned many times. Sheep and shepherds are one of our Lord’s favourite teaching images. He mentions them over 51 times in the Gospels. There is something about these animals that naturally convey certain characteristics which are important for the spiritual life.
What is it about sheep that have made them the preferred animal of our Lord Jesus? The physical characteristics that stand out are as follows: they have excellent hearing, good vision, they are useful for meat, milk, wool and many other byproducts—in other words, they become a complete offering without waste. Their lack of depth perception creates in them a tendency to move out of the darkness and into the light. Interesting that this weakness speaks of such a profound important principle in the spiritual life. They are one of the first animals domesticated by human beings; therefore, they are malleable. They have a natural inclination to follow a leader. Closeness and unity with the flock is important as they become stressed when separated from their flock members. They do not feel comfortable roaming freely in unfenced pasture. They have a good ability to recognize and remember the identity of those close to them especially their leader.
These are just a few of the physical and behavioural characteristics that are unique to sheep. They all convey for us something about the spiritual life and our relationship with Jesus the Shepherd of our life. The Lord reminds us today that in order to find the true pasture of rest we must become sheeplike and fall under the complete submission of the the One True and Good Shepherd.