John 10:1-21

"I am the good shepherd..." (10:11)

Our study guide poses the question – What modern day metaphor can replace ‘shepherd’ to describe the relationship between God and God’s people?

We could not come up with a substitute. Maybe you can. However, I can think of individuals, who have ‘shepherded’ me during my lifetime. Let me give you an example.

Last evening, the phone rang and Mary’s two daughters advised me that Mary had finally left this world and has gone to God’s other house.

Mary was a shepherd.

She did not dress like a shepherd. In fact, on her 90th birthday she arrived at her party in a red convertible sports coupe, wearing a bright red dress. In earlier days, Mary would be serving meals at the Church, raising money at school events, and giving to the less fortunate in the community.

In 1941, she and her husband Harry, as newly weds, moved into a recently built house on a new street in north Toronto. I remember that date because we often joked about our coincidence. You see, they moved into their new home the same year that I was born.

Mary lived in her house until the day she died, and she was always ready to welcome others into their new home. When we were up to our ears in unpacking cartons during our 1990 move, Mary came to our door with a pot roast to welcome us to the neighbourhood. She felt that we may not have time to cook, and a hot meal may be appreciated. It was. It was the first of countless acts of hospitality Mary would shower upon us.

Mary was a ‘good shepherd’. She worshipped her God regularly, she cared for God’s people in a myriad of expressions, and she lived her life as a ‘good and faithful’ shepherd for God.

Maybe Mary and people like Mary are the modern day metaphors explaining what our relationship with God should be like.

(Today's post is submitted by guest writer, Rev. Hollis Hiscock.)