RSSMay 2, Easter IV
by the Rev. Barbara Cawthorne Crafton for ERD
5/2/2004
Acts 13:15-16, 26-33 (34-39) or Numbers 27:12-23
Revelation 7:9-17 or Acts 13:15-16, 26-33 (34-39)
John 10:22-30
Psalm 100
People and Animals Together
Casting about in His mind to find an image of trust, Jesus fastens on the sheep and the shepherd. The shepherd guards the sheep and keeps them safe. He makes sure all is well with them. They come to understand this, as best an animal can. They trust him. Where he leads, the sheep will follow.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the majority of Americans lived in a rural setting. Farm animals were a familiar part of daily life. Today, it is not so; many Americans have never seen a cow up close. But everywhere is not America: Jesus's imagery about animals and farming strike a responsive chord in people worldwide who know very well what it is to live in a mutually dependent relationship with an animal. You take care of your animals before you take care of yourself. You have to: your survival depends on them.
The introduction of this ancient relationship into the impoverished communities of Baito and Madigo, on the Sudanese border of Uganda, has revolutionized agriculture there. Families who have wrung a meager subsistence from the ground cultivating it by hand receive teams of oxen from Episcopal Relief and Development -- and their food production increases by 50%. They hire out their oxen and earn even more. With the proceeds, they buy more oxen for other families in the communities to realize the same extraordinary benefit.
Farming is hard. Even with a team of oxen instead of your own strong arms, it's hard. But because you have the animals now, your children will have enough to eat. You learn to love the great, patient beasts who have made such a difference in your life. At the end of a long day in the field, you start for home. You remove their heavy yoke and pour out some grain for them to eat, give them a nice drink. They are as hungry and thirsty as you are. And you're all tired.
Episcopal Relief and Development is an effective, reliable, and vital ministry of the Episcopal Church in communities around the world. Episcopal Relief and Development provides emergency assistance in times of disaster, rebuilds devastated communities after the immediate crisis is over, and offers long-term solutions to help people sustain safer, healthier, and more productive lives.
