Much of the family's life centered around their animals. Much of Jesus' life centers around our needs. Today the work of Jesus the Good Shepherd will be done by us. We think of priests, deacons, and religious as the shepherds. We are all called to be shepherds.
Every parent is a shepherd, every teacher, everyone who cares for another human being.
Even our children are called to be shepherds, to minister to their friends, their parents, anyone whose lives they touch. Today's readings give us a good picture of what role we play in what happens and what role God plays. The reading from Acts describes the work of the Apostles. The reading lists their various tasks. It is a marvelous list of works.