The traditional image is of the gentle good shepherd, with perhaps a tear in his eye, giving the poor lost lamb a lovely cozy cuddle as they wander home together.
However, another more shocking image is given by those who have studied the working methods of first century Palestinian shepherds. They say that the shepherd would correct a wandering lamb by breaking it's leg. That way it wouldn't wander off again--indeed, couldn't wander off again. The shepherd did this not only to discipline the lamb, but to protect him, since to wander off would make him vulnerable to the wolves.
This may be shocking to those who cherish the image of the gentle good shepherd have a sweet little canoodle with the cuddly little lamb, but whether it is factual or not (and I am no expert on first century livestock handling) it somehow rings true to the rest of the image of Jesus in the gospel. That is to say, Aslan is not a tame lion. Jesus is our friend, but he is also the dread judge of all. His loving mercy is tender, but it is also sometimes severe.
Maybe he has allowed that dark spot in our lives, that sore point of suffering, that seemingly inexplicable non-answer to prayer, that difficult relationship, that perennial weakness, that seemingly absurd suffering as the 'broken leg' that keep us close to home and close to Him.
Perhaps the Jesus in the pictures has already broken the legs of the little lamb and that is why it is allowing him to carry her.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I have had several discussions with friends whose pastor tells them that God never punishes, God never disciplines. They pointed out Hebrews 12:5-6 about the Father correcting his son to no avail. I get "spiritual spankings" all the time and while they are not pleasant I am eternally grateful to God when He corrects me!
ReplyDeleteYes, in Ps23 this is the comfort gained from the 'Rod & Staff' in terms of correction and guidance. The comfort being that the shephard will always do the best for the sheep - even if that means the rod.
ReplyDeleteThere is actually a really valid point in here that we loose so much in our understanding of the Gospel by simply not being aware of the context of some of the terminology (pressed down, shaken round & running over - how a bushel of grain was measured) and the examples in relation to how things were done back then.
The example our Lord gives of being the 'gate' to the sheepfold (by sitting / lying in the gap in the wall - thus preventing either the thief to cross in or the sheep to cross out) being another example.
Never having done RCIA - is any of this expanded upon in that?
@theliscensedfooll
ReplyDeleteNO none of this was explained to me in RCIA
It's been 12 years since my RCIA class so I had to break out my folder of notes.
ReplyDeleteYep, Father Stahl covered the 'rod' part of our faith. It was particularly uncomfortable when he took our class to see the confessional for the first time because this is a visible reminder that our sins have consequences - even after forgiveness.
I think that because people are in so much (spiritual) pain that they can only see the message of love from Christ Jesus.
As I have healed my spirit through prayer, acts of contrition, apologies, confession, I am able to accept that God does what he will to us because he loves us.
Sometimes, I am stubborn and refuse to listen and usually I regret this decision.
We can pray for our priests to be faithful to the Church and to hear confessions.
For those who unfortunately did not get the full message of faith in RCIA, there is a useful web site called beginningcatholic.com that seems to help those who I have referred to it.
God bless and thanks for this reflection.
This point of theology seems weak. If troubles and sufferings really produce lasting sanctification, then the whole world would be following the shepherd. Reading some divine move into these sufferings doesn't seem very productive in a fallen world where such is the common state of life, Christian or non. I would think in our walks God would be more apt to bring at least some level of healing and restoration to each part of our lives that we surrender, rather than use methods of coercion to keep us around. After all it's the goodness of God that leads us to repentance.
ReplyDelete"That the bones you have crushed may thrill"
ReplyDeleteFrom Misere mei.
Joe.....one of my favorite passage in scripture is in Issaiah 40....starting at verse 27 I believe. A culminating point in these verses focus on this which says "But for those who wait on the Lord, he will renew their strength.". This to me is a tremendously powerful promise. No where in scriptures does it say life is fair or won't be full of struggles...but what the promise above means to me is that in the midst of the struggles we are facing...if we keep our eyes on him and don't give up on God....he will renew our strength to make it through.
ReplyDelete@Thumper...
ReplyDeleteYes! The promise in Isaiah seems much more characteristic of the good Lord. And it's not to say there's not punishment or discipline specifically from God for our little rebellions, but that's quite a bit different from someone coercively and preemptively "breaking my leg" so I can't walk away. Seems if God was going to do that with anyone it would have been Adam...but of course he didn't try to stop him in the least. The Lord is there to restore,
correct, and heal those who return to him and repent, but he's not playing "African trickster God" on people...he doesn't need to, his absence in the lives of those who walk away brings enough trouble in and of itself.
The Good Shepherd and Jesus referring to us as sheep has never been my favorite imagery. I've talked to people who actually have sheep and, though they love their animals, they are DUMB. They wander away, get into trouble, stampede, sometimes towards danger, they eat stuff that makes them really sick.
ReplyDeleteJesus refers to us like that. Not very flattering, but, probably disturbingly true. Makes all those allusions to staying close to the shepherd, avoiding wolves, prowling about seeking who they may devour, staying in the fold, with the flock more real and necessary. So, a broken leg, maybe not so bad compared to the alternatives.
The good shepherd/teacher is often the hardest on his best and most loved lambs/students, because he sees their potential and wants them to succeed. It's true that "tough love" is often the most pure and deep love.
ReplyDelete@Joe.....
ReplyDeleteVery well put Joe. I wish that the Lord would have stepped in many times when I chose unwisely....and I know that in many ways he did by bringing people into my life that were (in hindsight) providing sound guidance....I just did not listen. I really don't know what to say reference breaking my leg...or in this case...the lambs leg....metaphore. I do believe that there are tests in our lives because I feel with sin being in this world affecting it like it does, it's simply a matter of time before we really have to be ready for hard times....some sooner than others. I am thankful that our God is always waiting for us....but only if we come back to him right.....we have to make that choice though.
Thanks Joe for the discussion and thanks Father for the post.
The discussion is certainly thought provoking. I think it's safe to conclude that there is a line where disciplinary negative feedback becomes abusive and manipulative, and that just as a good parent doesn't cross that line with their children, God never crosses that line with us. The integrity of his character demands that he not use a good end to justify a shadowy means, particularly with his own sons and daughters.
ReplyDelete"...they are DUMB. They wander away, get into trouble, stampede, sometimes towards danger, they eat stuff that makes them really sick."
ReplyDeleteThat may be why sheep don't hire & fire their shepherds.
@licensed fool, if it was covered, it happened in the first 3 mos. Keeping in mind that there's a ton to learn and people are in all different places, from those unbaptized to those with minimal catechesis, we didn't necessarily focus on scripture but read the Catechism and learned the rosary. We had a couple of lectures on Church history but there's 2000 years of information which will never all get covered in a program like this.
ReplyDeleteDid your childhood religious education classes focus on scripture?
@Joe, free will kicks in and it's up to us whether or not we get angry and think God is mean so we're going to take our marbles and go home until such time we need him again or whether we accept the purification sent our way and continue loving Him no matter what little troubles fall into our lives.
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