Shepherd of souls, refresh and blessThy chosen pilgrim flockWith manna from the wilderness,With water from the rock.-James Montgomery, Hymnal 1982, #343 People are getting spiritually hungry again. You find the evidence in feature stories about the rising demand for retreats and for books on all sorts of spirituality. Women and men are seeking to be…

It is unlikely that Jesus ever worked for gainful employment as a shepherd. Tradition (not scripture) tells us that he learned his father’s trade and worked as a carpenter. He is called “rabbi” or “teacher” in some of the gospel stories which may or may not indicate a field of employment. Although we may not…