Sheepdogs and lambs

 

When I was very young, long before I understood what Jesus said about God's desire to seek and find each of us as we wander about in dangerous places, this picture captivated me. It belonged to Aunt Catherine (my first spiritual mentor ...read about her in the archives for Sept. 15, 2007). Sometimes I identified with the dog who howls to beckon the one who will rescue the lamb. After all, I was one of those kids who always brought home stray or wounded animals. Sometimes I was even able to assist in finding a home for the creature or (in very rare cases) I nursed the creature back to health so it could return to the forest or meadow. So often, though, my heart and mind related to the lamb...helpless...weak...and totally dependent upon another for the critical aid that would lead to safety. I was young...life was simple and so were the challenges I faced. But I still knew what it meant to feel lost, hurt, sick or weakened -- and the image of a sheepdog that would find me and return me to safety was deeply comforting. Now as an older kid of 55 years, I still am captivated by the picture....and even more so on this wintery Advent morning.

The assigned readings for Advent remind me of the times and places through which we, the children of God, wander. Regardless of how safe or secure we seem to be, there are always numerous spiritual dangers of all sorts. The Old Testament Readings as well as the Gospel Lessons all point to the call to watchful attention and the consent to "listen" to the One who will guide us safely through the times of our life. Advent reminds us of how dangerous the times are (and have always been). Advent reminds us that even in seemingly benign times, a storm may hit and we may wander away from the Lord's guiding priniciples.

Unknowingly we may wander into regions or behaviors that could threaten the peace and wholeness of our lives. Advent reminds us of Jesus' teachings about how we may companion each other through the world, sometimes as the sheepdog finding, aiding and teaching the "other", and sometimes as vulnerable lambs, surrendering ourselves and our "ways" to the One who seeks and finds us!

Where are you this Advent Monday? Are you one who today might forge out to find somebody in the midst of a storm? Are you the one who is lost or weakened? Watch...listen...there is so much more going on than the world would have you see.