Photo was taken at Hyde Park, London (Eng)

Hyde Park is a huge green belt and part of it is made up of beautiful gardens bursting with summer colour. The pathways through the gardens twist and turn making for a delightful walk.

Thought on Sunday – May – 15/05/2011

The following reflection is by Triona Doherty

My grandfather was a farmer in Malin Head in Co Donegal. As a child I loved to watch him round up the sheep in the evenings, using a variety of whistling techniques to guide his sheepdog, Jack, to steer the flock safely into the pen for the night. It was always a smooth transition, at a quiet time of the evening, with dog and flock well versed in the ins and outs of the process. It is this experience that I recall when I hear this parable. And it was the local shepherding practices of the time that Jesus turned to in an attempt to explain who he is.

The shepherd in Jesus’ parable calls his sheep one by one to lead them into the safety of the sheepfold, as was the practice in Palestine at the time, and the sheep follow their shepherd because they know his voice. Since the Pharisees, to whom Jesus is speaking, don’t get it, he explains the parable; he is the gate of the sheepfold, and anyone who enters through him will be safe and will be sure of finding pasture.

Sheep and shepherd imagery is common in both Old and New Testament, and today’s psalm is probably the most recognisable passage. ‘The Lord is my shepherd’ – fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me to revive my drooping spirit.’ A common practice and a popular image provide the perfect springboard for an examination of who Jesus is and what he offers to those who follow him: safety, pasture and life.