Scattering and Gathering: Pentecost 9 B Jeremiah 23, Psalm 23, Mark 6:34

At most of the herding dog demonstrations Connie and I offered there was someone who would approach, share eagerly that they owned a Border Collie, and ask if they could come sometime to our farm and let their dog chase our sheep. They wanted to know if their Border Collie had the instinct. It would be fun.

Of course we loved seeing people’s enthusiasm. But, no, chasing is not the point.

But this kind of exchange was just the ticket to remind us to share with our audiences the mystery and miracle of scattering and gathering.

All us humans share with much, and perhaps most, of the animal world the feeling of vulnerability and horror at being singled out and isolated. Scattering is the precursor to the worst kinds of fear, confusion, and spiraling, self-defeating behavior.

Our history of herding at Heatherhope has reinforced this truth. To the untrained it is most amazing to see a single Border Collie gather and direct a big herd of 50 or a hundred sheep. But the hardest thing for a dog to do is to cut out a single sheep and take it away from the flock. A single sheep, especially a young one, who is subjected to this, will be desperate to return to the flock. It may charge away from the dog in a panic, and even run into a fence post and break its own neck. Fear is being scattered. There is safety, security, and salvation in a group. Animals know this. We know this.

Scattering is horrible. Gathering is good.

And our three texts this week confirm that the God is in the business of gathering. Jeremiah’s oracle from God says God condemns those who scatter God’s people. And so God will attend to them, and God will gather. Psalm 23 proclaims that God has a shepherd mentality and leads and follows us; restores, comforts, nourishes, and protects us. And Jesus and his disciples are harassed and nagged by people who are desperate to be healed. But instead of seeing them as a nuisance, Jesus sees them as sheep without a good shepherd. And this realization stirs compassion within his spirit.  

It is my experience that when I must choose who to vote for, or what stand to make on a moral issue, the criteria must be made in terms of gathering versus scattering. Does this principle or candidate tend to scatter or gather? Does this principle or candidate lead me to have less or more compassion for others, even for those I am inclined to count as strange or frightening? Which choice will encourage a sense of belonging? Which person is driven by principles that reconcile and unify people rather than drive them apart as threats or enemies?

As my Savior is a good shepherd and gathering, so must I strive to be.