A Place for Goats of All Kinds

This fellow hangs in the mudroom at Merry Mount.
Guess who the  Old Goat is.

On this Sunday morning, I offer a reading from the Book of Matthew (25:31-46). Here you can find a parable about the dividing of sheep from goats. From my reading, the most important lesson found therein is for people to take care of those less fortunate than themselves.  In this scripture, people who have served others are referred to as sheep, while those who were self-serving are referred to as goats.  Most theologians would preach that the goats are hell-bound, while the sheep are headed for heaven.  I contend that the storyteller got it all wrong from the beginning and should have chosen another breed rather than the goats to put in opposition to the sheep.  I posit that goats have gotten a bad rap in this parable and, therefore, offer the following defense.

Domino (left), Betty (right) with mother Clara in the center

I have observed that goats are intelligent and curious creatures that are social and quite loving.  Goats are perhaps overly curious, and it is this curiosity that sometimes gets them in trouble.  Preacher Pat asks, "Should they be sent off to hell for being curious?"

Clara asks, "Would you send me off to hell?"

If you look a goat in the eyes, you will see that their pupils are rectangular which gives them the ability to see 320 to 340 degrees around them (compared to humans with 160-210 degrees).  Goats look at the world through different lens.  Sheep, as a herd, follow a leader without much care to the direction in which they are being led, whereas goats, while remaining social, at least stop and observe the situation before being led astray.

"Hi, I'm Wilmer".

Goats are agile, well-balanced, and enjoy climbing to great heights.

Clara, Betty, Domino, and Bubba showing off their daily gymnastics for Minnie

Just take a look at these high achievers:

Hi, I'm Watson.  I joined the Merry Mount herd on  5/29/17

Hi, I'm Betty.  I was born on 5/19/16

Hi, I'm Domino. I was also born on 5/19/16

Hi, I'm Ella, Clara's twin sister

Hi, I'm Walt, the sire (Billy), of Merry Mount.  I'm a lover
and the does adore my eyebrows!

The Goat and I

Upon the hill so thymy sweet
With joy of Spring,
He hails me with a tiny bleat
Of welcoming.
Though half the globe is drenched with blood
And cities flare,
Contentedly he chews the cud
And does not care.

Oh gentle friend, I know not what
Your age may be,
But of my years I'd give the lot
Yet left to me,
To chew a thistle and not choke,
But bright of eye
Gaze at the old world-weary bloke
Who hobbles by.

Alas! though bards make verse sublime,
And lines to quote,
It takes a fool like me to rhyme
About a goat. 

-Robert William Service (January 16, 1874 – September 11, 1958) 

In conclusion, Preacher Pat hopes that the Trump administration reads Matthew: 25:31-46; and he proudly states that the "Old Goat of Merry Mount" is glad not to be called a sheep.

CPW

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