Family Service Homily, The Rev. Michael A. Bird: "Jesus: Our Shepherd, Gate, Pen"

“They were lost sheep and I was a failed shepherd! I gave up leading and I stood behind.”

Preaching to our youngest parishioners on Good Shepherd Sunday, Father Michael describes his inexpert stint leading teenagers around monasteries in Europe. He suggests that maybe what makes Jesus the perfect Good Shepherd is that more than a leader, he is also the gate and the pen, “knowing us by name and calling us home.” The readings are Acts 2:42–47; Psalm 23 and John 10:1–10.