That Sheep May Safely Graze

The Fourth Sunday in Advent's first reading from Samuel recounts God's promise to David that He will remember this shepherd whom He "took [] from the the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel." 2 Sam. 7:8.

Geoff Wood (Living the Lectionary, Cycle B, p. 10) points out that Israel was concerned from the crime of Cain (Cain the city maker killed Abel the herder of sheep) and from Abraham, a nomad and keeper of sheeps and goats, that the spirit of the shepherd be maintained in a nation that had moved into cities. For that reason "Israel's holy men . . . insisted that, if the Israelite tribes must unite into a kingdom under a monarch, that monarch should be a shepherd."

"Shepherding was symbolic of freedom, mobility, flexibility, a hankering after wide-open spaces and starry skies where one felt closer to God. It also said something about gentleness, concern for things vulnerable, a willingness to protect the weak and confront the ravenous elements of this universe. These were qualities worth remembering and maintaining, especially when the pressures of urban life and royal politics might tempt Israel to become like so many other nations: hard, polarized, aggressive, even lethal like Cain." When Israel's monarchy failed, its prophets naturally looked to Bethlehem, birthplace of David, for a pastoral king to renew its prospects as a nation. (Cf. Micah 5:2 "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.")

We are close to our anniversary of remembering that our longed for promise has been kept, that our shepherd has come and is here, a "good shepherd" whose yoke is light" (Mt.11:29), who "leadeth me beside still waters," who "restoreth my soul" (Ps. 23). Our shepherd shows us all the way to a nation of peace, a nation concerned with the "rest" of its citizens, a nation happy in its role to bring about happiness in the world.

May this remembrance, renewed as real in our life today and on Christmas Day, bring us joy and comfort!

Listen to Bach "Sheep May Safely Graze"

Another version (Stokowski).

Sheep may safely graze
where a good shepherd watches.
Where rulers govern well
we may feel peace and rest
and what makes countries happy

Text (German):
Schafe können sicher weiden,
Wo ein guter Hirte wacht.
Wo Regenten wohl regieren,
Kann man Ruh und Friede spüren
Und was Länder glücklich macht.