As we know keeping sheep in Biblical times was very different from how we do shepherding in our own country. In Palestine the shepherd would live with his sheep. By day he would lead them out, go out before them and then find good pasture land for them. By night he would gather them into the sheepfold and actually lay in front of the gate to keep out the many predators.
Although the sheep were safe in the sheepfold they couldn’t stay there for ever. There would not have been enough food there for every sheep. Their legs would become weak through lack of exercise. Their four little legs needed to be used. It was necessary for the dangers of the outside world to be experienced for their own mental health.
We are like those sheep with those same needs to go out and face the dangers of the world We cannot stay in our churches, monasteries or places of safety. Although some of us are called to a cloistered existence, most of us need to be out in the hurly burly of the world. To be effective we need to rub shoulders with the world. We need to be aware of wickedness, wars and waywardness. By the strength given to us by the Lord we can resist evil . How can we be a light to the world unless we see the darkness? At the right time may we leave the sheepfold and be led and guided by our Shepherd.