St Benedict and the Good Shepherd
During Advent and Christmastide we have so many references to real and totally human shepherds in the readings and hymns that many of us have loved and looked forward to from childhood. Religious Christmas cards are full of shepherds and lambs. Was Jesus born in the spring or were lambs born in winter in Palestine? It matters not.
We have sheep at Minster and one text book I read said that lambing was a clean business. I beg to disagree. Wonderful, yes but clean, not quite!
During lambing this year I reflected quite deeply and I would like to share a short synopsis of a few jottings.
One March night in our cold and rather smelly, draughty barn I was watching the little flock.
Lambs were being born, covered with blood and slime until mum had done her cleansing work. Sometimes she was just too tired after her ordeal and left it to us. We had 2 sets of triplets this year and an average of two healthy lambs per ewe. A good return.
New born lambs were feeding from their mothers or playing with their mates. Others were snuggled up close to mother or to other lambs, in blissful slumber.
Ewes were straining in their pre natal fashion of sometimes looking upwards, getting up and down, scraping the floor, refusing food or drink, panting with discomfort. Typically looking confused, trying to isolate and find a ‘nest.’ Their time was about to come.
As the little ones arrived I was around to help. Some delivered alone. All were cared for and kept safe. Food, water, shelter, fresh hay, straw and towels ready. Our 95 year old Sister John donated her hot water bottle. At night or on cold days, new born lambs can die of hyperthermia. A hair dryer was also at hand to help them to warm up if needed.
Foxes and rats kept away.
A little bit of Bethlehem. I felt a glow as I hugged my hot drink sitting on a straw bale.
Was it yet time for morning Vigils? I would need to get in and change soon.
With the mobile phone I felt safe. Others Sisters, friends and Oblates were also on call and ready to take over when needed or to supply more hot drinks.
My thoughts went to Ukraine, then to just across the Channel to Calais. Now of course it would be to Manston, just a mile away from us. How many mothers and babies throughout our world would love to be treated like one of our flock? Life seemed so unjust.
Animals are often treated better than humans in our part of the world.
A real dilemma, but care for the flock we must.