Jesus the Good Shepherd from the Catacomb of Priscilla
A few weeks ago, Jenny and I took our kids into Boston to see the Big Apple Circus. It comes to town every year around April School Vacation, setting up its big tent at Government Center in City Hall plaza. We go every year and its always a great time.
You might think, quite reasonably, that getting four kids into the city, to the circus, (bringing, if you will, the circus to the circus) and back out again would be would be quite enough excitement for one day. And you’d probably be right. But this day we decided to press our luck.
After the circus, we took the kids down to Quincy Market for lunch. Of course, each person wanted something different to eat, so we navigated up and down that long food court, ferrying food, finding seats, making sure no one got swallowed up by the crowds. And again, you’d think that would be quite a full day. But no.
We then walked from Quincy Market to the Aquarium to see the sea lions in their outdoor tank, leading the kids across some of the busiest roads in the city, keeping them back from the curb, making sure they were crossing at the right time. And then, seemingly for good measure, we went past the boat docks with their drop offs down to the water. All for a few minutes with the sea lions…and then back along the same route to the car.
At the end of all that, I was totally exhausted. All the holding hands, calling names, keeping them away from the road, making sure they didn’t get lost at the Market. My goodness, it was a lot of work.
And it gave me a newfound appreciation for shepherds, doing this work every day, all day, herding all kinds of (less cooperative) sheep from place to place, keeping them in order, safe, and together. I only wish I had had one of those big shepherd’s hooks and a sheep dog to help keep my own little flock in line. Continue reading
