In Response to "Looking Away"

The pastoral Maasai culture is filled with cattle, sheep and goats. Livestock are the lifesource of these people, their main food traditionally consisting of blood, meat and milk (now maize meal/ugali is added to the menu). Driving through the southern Kenyan countryside, I’ve seen innumerable brightly clothed herdsman keeping their flocks by day, trekking tirelessly after their livelihood with a staff and a stick.


Whatever you did for one of the least of these…you did for Me.

Sheep and goats are in every ditch and gully around Rongai. You watch more carefully for sheep while driving – apparently, goats are smart enough to get out of the way.

Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these…you did not do for Me.

Goats are naturally independent, while sheep seem to be distant and aloof. Goats will seek their own shelter more readily than sheep. Sheep have a strong flocking instinct and become agitated if separated from the flock.

The King will say to those on his right, ‘Come you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance.’

Why are we asked to be sheep, and not goats? Goats seem to be the more intelligent, self-sufficient creature of the two; wouldn’t it be logical to strive to be such?


He will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’

Sheep need a shepherd. Goats don’t think they do.


Savior, like a shepherd, lead me.