Revelation 7:9-17 Psalm 121 John 10:11-16

Jesus said, ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’

Jesus is speaking of the virtuous self-giving of a life for the benefit of others. The translation of the word goodis more correctly noble. Nobleis a word not used so much in our current culture. To be noble is to be willing to give ourselves unselfishly and without fear to a cause that promotes the greater good for our family, our community, and the world.
This term used by the writer of John’s Gospel is the same word used at the time to describe the honor given to a soldier or otherwise heroic person whose efforts of self-sacrifice contributed significantly to the greater good – a shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.
Of course, there can only ever be one Good Shepherd – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But each of is called to this ministry of shepherding; each of us is called to this ministry of self-giving, self-sacrificing love for neighbor. That might be getting up from our cozy easy chair to help bring in the groceries on a cold rainy night; or, it might be giving a much-needed hug to someone who is dirty and smells bad; or, it might be giving tireless efforts to causes of human rights and social justice for those in our society who are less equipped to seek it for themselves. And, this ministry of shepherding is that of a mother who provides and cares for her children, defying the odds of single-parenting and maintaining persistent attention to the relentless temptations of neighborhood peer pressure on her children.
Dolores Clemons was a good shepherd, readily offering her life for the improvement of her community, for the wellbeing of her family, and the spiritual health of those who had not yet experienced the peace of faith in Jesus Christ. Dolores was a role model for many through her non-anxious persistent calm in the face of storms.
Dolores Clemons just kept being a faithful shepherd. Douglas mentioned that there were more than a few tough times, particularly times over the past years of Dolores’ declining health, when all the options seemed to have run out; they would look at each other, shaking their heads, and say, “What will we do now?” Somehow, every time, the way forward would be revealed.
The shepherd doesn’t say to the sheep, “See that pasture way over there on the other side of the hill? That’s where we’re headed. Get there the best you can.”
The shepherd guides with rod and staff – the rod providing discipline for those who stray from the path – gentle discipline for the good of the individual sheep and the good of the flock. We all need discipline; we all need guidance. Like God’s law, the shepherd’s rules of discipline are intended to guide our relationships – the ways we are to live within the flock in good relationship with one another – to love one another without fear; loving one another with self-giving, self-sacrificing love.
The shepherd’s rod and staff protect us from harm; remaining near and looking toward the shepherd we remain in that powerful self-sacrificing protection.
There are times we lose our footing and fall into rocky ravines; there are times we stray and find ourselves separated from the flock. We are lost, alone, afraid, and surrounded by danger. These are the times that the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one who is lost. When you are that one, you come to better understand and appreciate the shepherd’s self-sacrificing love. We know that self-giving love as God’s grace. The shepherd, you see, like our all-powerful, all-loving God wants only what is best for us. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
For all of these images of shepherding, we could spend the rest of the day offering our memories of our dear sister Dolores fearlessly fulfilling this role of shepherd – as a community activist; as lobbyist for worthy causes – even those that might have seemed to some to be lost causes (the one lost sheep); as a tireless community resource to those greatly marginalized by society; and as a mother through difficult times andat times of great joy and appreciation for loving, healthy, and gifted children; above all, as a faithful witness for the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our sister Dolores just kept being faithful, giving of herself to make a better world for all of us.
In closing, Douglas shared with me a sweet story from his memories as he shuffled through stacks of photos in preparation for this celebration of his mother’s life. There is a photo of proud Mama Dolores who had gathered her reluctant high schooler, roughed-up and grass stained in his football uniform following a big game. The teenage Douglas remembers being embarrassed and maybe a little obnoxious about being corralled into having his picture taken with his mother in this public arena. Now, as he picks up that photo, he is so grateful for her persistence. There in the photo stands the football hero next to his proud mama, whose coat is missing a button.
If we knew Dolores, we knew her through her self-giving love. She was far more concerned for our wellbeing than hers. She would want each of us to pick up that ministry of fearless self-giving love. She would want us to believe and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ who has redeemed us – each of us. Jesus Christ, the only one and true Good Shepherd, laid down his life for us. Jesus Christ went to the grave; Jesus Christ overcame that grave; Jesus Christ rose from that grave.
Our sister Dolores is before the throne of God, worshiping God day and night. With great joy, she is speaking the word of God as revealed to us through the Revelation to John. She understands it all now as we will all understand when we stand before that throne.

You will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
the sun will not strike you,
nor any scorching heat;
for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be your shepherd,
and he will guide you to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from your eyes.’
The Good Shepherd has laid down his life for us so that we might have everlasting life. Dolores is there before the throne. Thanks be to God.