Article January 9, 1954 Issue

THE GREAT SHEPHERD

[Of Special Interest to Children]

JULIA IRENE FITZGERALD

In the Bible we read that Christ Jesus said (John 10:11), "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." Do you know what a shepherd is? He is someone who takes care of sheep. Christ Jesus called himself a shepherd because he took care of those people who trusted and followed him. In the Christian Science Sunday School the teacher often reads from the Bible the experiences of David, the shepherd boy who tended sheep, and of Jesus, "the good shepherd," who guarded his flock.

We learn in Christian Science that sheep, as well as other animals, are lesser ideas of God, and that God is the great Shepherd of all. Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, tells us in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 550), "God is the Life, or intelligence, which forms and preserves the individuality and identity of animals as well as of men."

Perhaps you have a pet which you love to help care for and protect. We have at our house. Our pet is a small white dog, whose name is Skippy. We try to keep him at home so he will not bother the neighbors, and he misses playing with other dogs. But he was made very happy when someone left a black cocker spaniel, Smokey, in our care for several months.

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