Moving Parts: Have you seen Sheep Detectives?

I have watched the movie twice now. I need to watch movies multiple times, and with closed caption on in order to tune into the details especially with "who dun its?"

In a previous post I recommended the movie. Why? Originally, I tuned in because of the lead, Hugh Jackman. But then, while watching it with the youngest generation, it took on a new meaning.

Concerned at first for the little ones because it is a murder mystery, I watched faces. Interest, concern, tears were all part of the watching process, and that was only me! The children were totally engaged and cared too.

I would not say that the movie has a happy ending, but the mystery is solved and the legacy continues. But it is a joyful movie with moving parts.

Did the movie company, by accident, use a Biblical story? I am not sure of that but today at Mass, the opening song inspired me to write this post and made me once again want to discuss the movie's influence, impact or take aways. If you watched it, did you see any connections to commonly known Bible stories?

I had a college professor who would not have liked the personification of animals. She would say that if a story is about humans, use human characters. The metaphors may have been missed if the script writers did not use sheep. We compare humans to animals all the time. I do not remember my professor's take on that.

In the movie, the shepherd loved his sheep and they in turn, loved him. He rescued and protected them from harm. He rescued a black sheep who was willing to lay down his life for his friends. The shepherd left a legacy for others to follow in his footsteps. 

I make connections for life. Lay down and rest. Change some hearts? Take a break from the news. 

The song at Mass:  "I heard the voice of Jesus say":

https://youtu.be/Kh4XxlWZhMs?is=KyF2MDIKO19wAzij

https://youtube.com/shorts/5N7WpgFbILk?is=zmXjdZuHjT-iSDMY

The Sheep Detectives: It will make you laugh cry, and think. Jesus always loved a good story!

https://youtu.be/pyZI5oM6hWk?is=QcJ0nF4aX4qlAok7

This photo copy was given as a gift to my husband ( long before the divorce). I felt so moved by it, that I also got copies. I gave one to a friend at our library so many years ago. She stopped and looked at it intently. Her daughter had just adopted a lamb.

The picture greets people as they enter my apartment. There are millions of words written about a picture such as this. The artist must have been inspired.

Love, 

Marian

August 16, 2026

Restorative Justice: A few words of wisdom and a recommendation! Sheep sleuths?

On some days, I look at the picture of the Sacred Heart in my apartment, and ask; Was I on the right path in 1998? I have said many times, I have not met a burning bush, but God does know how to reach me. The news, homilies, and an occasional cat are primary channels! Once, long before I wrote my workshop request, a Deacon pointed to several of us during the homily and said "You are a lamb of God." We were all very active at the Parish.  Well we do know what happened to the real Lamb of God, so I took notice. 

It was that year the "fan" became covered with the proverbial stuff. Following Jesus is not always an easy task. Prayer and listening are musts!

I listen to daily Mass most days. Today was no different, so I turned on YT to televised Masses, one from America and one from Canada. Today I was just prepared to "get it over with", especially the homily. But as usual when I take the laisse fair attitude about the homily, the Priests steps up to the plate.

Canada has different holidays and sometimes intentions at Mass then we do in America. August 10 in Canada is Prisoner's Justice Day. As the priest opened the Mass, he talked about the significance of the day. I was prepared to be annoyed or underwhelmed.

I am not soft on crime. I believe in Justice and Mercy. Justice I believe needs to come first. I am not sorry to see people get life in prison for crimes. The one reason I wrote against the death penalty in NJ was not because of the guilty, but because of the innocent without due process given. I am not really sorry to see the criminal taken down because there are NO victimless crimes.

With the most recent school shooting trial in Georgia then the most recent school shooting by a 14 year old in Thailand, "a that's ok honey homily", would have made me sick because I do not follow a wimpy God. Jesus only offered paradise to one of the thieves.

The priest's homily talked about restorative justice for the victims. He said how whole communities are impacted by crime. We see how a whole nation is impacted by crimes.

The priest did not ignore the prisoner's plight, but his words did not excuse the crimes. The homily is worth a listen so I am sharing.

Pray always. It is true if we pray for our enemies, we can not hate them. I am proof positive of that. Does it mean that I forget? Obviously I do not. Forgive and forget is nonsense. We have to remember to warn or help others or prevent other crimes. 

One of the greatest takes for me from 1998, besides how God sees the bigger picture and gives us pieces of the puzzle, is that he is a God of Justice and Mercy.

Do not be fooled by the ignorant.

Be a lamb of action!

I recommend for motivation, besides listening to the homily part of the Mass in the link, an uplifting movie on lambs and sheep, watch:

The Sheep Detectives! 

It is a crime comedy/drama. Keep an eye on the littlest lamb, the outcast. Good for the whole family!

We are lambs of God.

Love,

Marian

August 10, 2026