This Week

This week at praxis...Baa Baa

(NOTE:  due to conversion issues between Macs and PCs not all of 
this weeks reading are present, we are working on this problem)

Latterly Judaism developed this symbolism in three directions:

...2. the symbolism of the shepherd and his flock is no longer restricted to the 
relationships between God and Israel; God is the shepherd of mankind

3. lastly, expectation of a new shepherd, after God's heart, culminates in the 
Messianism of the Psalms of Solomon; the Messiah 'leads the Lord's flock in 
faith and righteousness'

These last two aspects point directly to the Christian symbolism of the shepherd.  
Jesus said 'I am the good shepherd'; no hireling, but the one to whom the flock 
belongs and who is ready to die for it.  He added that, in his vision, 
the notion of the flock was not restricted to one seeming category of religion or race.

...This gospel symbolism is of a spiritual leader guiding the body of his disciples 
along the path of truth and salvation.  According to the Samyutta Nikaya the Buddha 
employed very similar notions.  'The monk's pasture, his birthright' is the domain 
of spiritual realization, from which he should not stray for fear of running into 
serious danger...

The symbolism of the shepherd also contains the sense of a wisdom which is both 
intuitive  and the fruit of experience.  The shepherd symbolizes watchfulness.  
His duties entail the constant exercise of vigilance.  He is awake and watching...
He observes the Heavens, the Sun, the Moon and the stars and can predict the weather.  
He distinguishes sounds and hears the noise of approaching wolves, as well as the 
bleating of lost sheep.

Through the different duties he performs, he is regarded as a wise man whose activities
are the result of contemplation and inner vision.
- The  Penguin Dictionary of Symbols, Jean Chevalier an Alain Gheerbrant

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 
He makes me lie down in green pastures; 
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.  
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 
I fear no evil; 
for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff- 
they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me 
in the presence of my enemies; 
you anoint my head with oil; 
my cup overflows. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, 
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD 
my whole life long.  
-Psalm 23
 

Questions:


	How are the images of Jesus and God as a shepherd used in the Bible? 
	Which of the qualities of Jesus as the good shepherd are meaningful for you?  
	Which make you uncomfortable?  Why?
	Do you like being considered a sheep?  Why or why not? How does this image 
	fit with your spiritual or faith life?
	Is the sheep/shepherd symbolism useful today (both the meaning of it and the 
	images used to convey the meaning)?  If not, what other symbol would capture 
	this same meaning?