Sheepfold and Shepherd

In today’s Gospel we hear about the sheepfold. What is a sheepfold, you might ask? It is simply an enclosed area for sheep. It is a large pen that does not imprison the flock, but rather houses and protects it. And a well-cared for sheepfold has well-cared for sheep within it, for sheep by their very nature are rather dependent on another for their well-being.

 Of course, the sheep themselves do not build their own fold. It is built by the rightful master, the owner of the sheep, the designer of the sheepfold. And there is a shepherd, who knows each sheep by name. Who is in their midst and who cares for them and who will drive off wolves at night and who will search for the single lost lamb by day.

 It seems to me the sheepfold is a very good metaphor for the proper-place-to-be.

It is also a time honored metaphor for the Kingdom of God. Jesus uses the idea of a sheepfold to describe all those gathered together under the rule of God. It is also a metaphor used by the Church, describing herself as the People of God gathered together in the Spirit to follow Jesus, who we call the good shepherd.

 In today’s Gospel there are two linked sayings about the sheepfold (most likely said at different times in different circumstances, but now linked by John) Both begin with “Amen, amen, I say to you”, which means pay attention this is important. What follows is true and definitive.

 “Amen, amen I say to you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But, whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.”

 The Kingdom of God is indeed like a sheepfold. It has a boundary. Not a physical enclosed space, but rather an area of God’s recognized sovereignty. God alone has authority over the sheep and it is he alone who is the rightful owner and master of his sheepfold and it exists only according to his will.

The sheep stand for all those who acknowledge the reign of God, who depend on God alone and who are gratefully gathered together within his kingdom.

 And there is a gate. A gate (like a door) is the only appropriate way to enter into any space. God’s sheepfold has a solid well defined gate. Though, we hear in scripture, that it might be very narrow gate, indeed. In the second saying today Jesus says. “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved.” But, then in the next verse he says “I am the good shepherd”. It seems Jesus is the both the only means and the only way to enter into the Kingdom.

 And we are told this gate is watched over by a mysterious gatekeeper (I like to think it’s the Holy Spirit itself). The gatekeeper keeps the gate closed to those he does not recognize. Think about the foolish virgins who locked outside the banquet shout “Lord, Lord” but their voices were not recognized and the door remained shut.

 The Spirit also does not recognize thieves and robbers, liars and deceivers who covet the sheep, as something to enslave or slaughter. Those evildoers desire what is not theirs, to buy and sell and to make profit.  Because, they have no love for the sheep they cannot enter through the gate. They must lurk about in the cover of darkness. Unrecognized and uninvited by the gatekeeper they must break into the sheepfold by climbing over the fence to get in.

And breaking in, they harm the sheep, scatter them, and lead them astray. Hateful and hard hearted they try to slay the good shepherd. Envious and jealous they try to steal (what is not theirs) from the rightful master. They do not belong to the sheepfold.

  But, be not afraid. Thankfully, we are sheep not the shepherd nor the owner. We just need to have faith in our strong sheepfold, our rightful Lord (who is owner, shepherd, and gatekeeper) who opens the narrow gate to us, who calls out to us (because he loves us), who leads us the green pastures and who lays down his life for us and the salvation of the world.

 This, is well and good. But, sometimes we find ourselves outside the sheepfold. We wander off aimlessly and find ourselves lost. Perhaps, we have been deceived and lured away or even driven away. But, at least we know that where we find ourselves is not where we belong. We still belong to the sheepfold.

But, now there is something new. In the time of the pandemic the sheepfold itself has changed. Home no longer feels quite like home. It is familiar, yet not. We see it (virtually at least), but no longer fully recognize it. Even while within we feel outside.

  We find ourselves (not of our choosing) in an unknown place waiting for an unknown future and we are anxious and unsure. And as social beings we grow restless and impatient for the social life that was. In that impatience the common good gives way to the good of the self. Individual rights push aside the rights of the community.

But, you and I must be patient. Only God knows what the Spirit is gradually forming within the world, within the sheepfold, and within us. We must be patient knowing that our sheepfold (however it is being transformed) is solid and our shepherd steadfast, our master ever faithful.

  It is true we do not know what this sheepfold will eventually look like for we are workers not the architect. We are sheep and not the master. But, surely now is the time to trust God’s boundless care and concern for each of us.