The bottom line is, God compares us to sheep in Scripture–a lot.

Why? For one thing, in ancient times, shepherding sheep was common practice (and still is in some places). They were fairly cheap to own and provided milk and meat for sustenance, and wool for selling or making clothing. So they were practical.

So what is it about these creatures that endear them to us? They are cute, and well, kind of helpless.

Unlike cattle or goats, however, they need assistance during lambing and their woolen coats are prone to pest infestation. Without a natural defense against predators, they also frequently fall victim to predation.

That is partly why they need a shepherd (or two or three) to look after them–constantly. I can see why God compares us to sheep in a way. Like them, without a shepherd, we also eventually stray and become lost.

Sheep or prey?

Therefore, their only protection is, well…those who protect them. If the flock has lazy, careless or negligent shepherds, the sheep are at an increased risk of death.

God spoke to the Israelites exiled in Babylon through the prophet Ezekiel:

“For lack of a shepherd they have scattered, to become the prey of any wild animal; they have scattered far. My flock is straying this way and that, on mountains and on high hills; my flock has been scattered all over the country; no one bothers about them and no one looks for them.”

Ezek 34: 5, (bold type added), see readings for 8/17/2022 at https://www.universalis.com/-400/mass.htm.

By abandoning Him, God’s chosen people lost their way and were therefore conquered by outlying nations, scattering them.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Thanks be to God He did not leave them in that wretched state! He sent them (and us) His Son, Jesus, to shepherd His people, scattered in every nation around the world. And all baptized Christians are the sheep of His flock.

What about those who aren’t baptized? Or the lost and confused, dejected and lonely, the rejected and broken? Jesus, the Good Shepherd rushes after them, eager to carry them onto His shoulders, and bring them home.

The greater the sinner, the greater the mercy

Jesus told St. Faustina (1905-1938):

“The greater the sinner the greater the right he has to my Mercy.”

Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 723, see https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/greater-sinner.

This means God is patient, especially with His lost sheep. It’s easy for the ones who consider themselves to be “found” to be envious of His mercy towards the lost.

The lost attract God’s mercy, and He seeks them out. He never abandons the lonely, suffering, dejected, confused or wandering sheep.

They attract His love because their suffering resembles His Son.

The two thieves

Unlike the thief on the left of Jesus hanging on the Cross (Gestus), the thief on the right of Jesus (Dismus) acknowledged his own guilt, and requested Jesus’ divine forgiveness.

His confession and childlike faith unlocked the mercy of Jesus, which poured out on Dismus and ensured his heavenly reward.

We persevere

Therefore, we rely on the mercy of God to continually keep us gathered in the sheepfold (corral) of his flock…because every day we stray, get injured and get sick. And every day, He cares for us.

See 1 Pet 5:7, https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/5.