The Good Shepherd
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 -- Week of 5 Lent, Year One
Frederick Denison Maurice, Priest, 1872
Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 956)
Psalms 119:145-176 (morning) 128, 129, 130 (evening)
Jeremiah 25:30-38
Romans 10:14-21
John 10:1-18
"I am the good shepherd," Jesus tells us today. John's gospel is full of evocative pastoral images that would have been familiar to his readers. We don't see shepherds in our everyday life. I told a story in a sermon last April about a Roman Catholic priest who lived with a shepherd for a while and found his faith renewed. That sermon is at the following link: Good Shepherd Sermon
The images of this reading came alive for me hearing this priest's story. He told of the shepherds who would walk out ahead of their flock, singing a distinctive song that the sheep recognized. The shepherd took them to fresh pasture and water.
He told of the shepherds who would lead the sheep into a safe enclosure for the evening, inspecting them closely every night for cuts or bruises or injuries. Then the shepherd lay across the opening of the sheepfold, his body as a physical gate protecting the flock during sleep.
He told of a courageous search for a lost lamb, and the persistence of the shepherd who tirelessly sought the animal until he found it. Then he carried the wounded beast on his shoulders for miles to the safety of the flock. There was a celebration for the lamb's return.
There is something evocative and personal about the image of the shepherd. Many people have let this be a living metaphor for their relationship with God in Jesus.
Each morning we can allow ourselves to be awakened by the song of the shepherd, calling us confidently into the new day. We can listen alertly to his call, leading us to the water and pasture of our daily adventures. We can entrust ourselves to the protection of the vigilant strength of the shepherd whose rod and staff and sling protect us from danger. We can live simple, trusting lives, letting ourselves be guided by the shepherd, rather than feeling it is our responsibility to control the environment. The shepherd will give us our daily bread and lead us to good pasture. Listen. Throughout the day, as we work and move and play, we can always have a part of our awareness awake to the presence and leading of the shepherd, always ready to respond to his call or song to move and follow, to feed and rest. If there are times when we are injured or badly hurt, we can let the shepherd carry us on his shoulders, trusting his strength when ours is weak. In the evening, we can let the shepherd inspect the accumulated nicks and bruises of the day, bandaging and anointing whatever needs healing attention. We can sleep in confidence behind the gate of the shepherd's protective protection, entrusting ourselves at evening as well as at day to the loving care of the one who shepherds us.
Today is the feast of Frederick Denison Maurice who wrote, "We have been dosing our people with religion when what they want is not this but the living God." There is a difference between teaching the metaphor of Jesus the Good Shepherd and living it personally as one who follows and trusts the Good Shepherd. Jesus offers a personal and intimate invitation to be our shepherd and to lead us to good pasture today.
One more thing. In John's gospel, Jesus says that he has other sheep that are not of this flock. F.D. Maurice was a proponent of a form of religious pluralism that allows for unity in diversity of faith. There are many flocks, yet all of the sheep belong ultimately to God, who leads them with the shepherd's song that sings in many keys. We can trust God not only to lead us, but also to lead all humanity toward the living waters of love and compassion that Jesus feeds us with. May all be nourished with the daily bread of lovingkindness.
Lowell
_____________________________________________
Audio podcast: Listen to an audio podcast of the most recent Morning Reflections from today and the past week. Click the following link: Morning Reflection Podcasts
About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.
Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html
The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.
Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org
Our Rule of Life
Lowell Grisham, Rector
Frederick Denison Maurice, Priest, 1872
Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 956)
Psalms 119:145-176 (morning) 128, 129, 130 (evening)
Jeremiah 25:30-38
Romans 10:14-21
John 10:1-18
"I am the good shepherd," Jesus tells us today. John's gospel is full of evocative pastoral images that would have been familiar to his readers. We don't see shepherds in our everyday life. I told a story in a sermon last April about a Roman Catholic priest who lived with a shepherd for a while and found his faith renewed. That sermon is at the following link: Good Shepherd Sermon
The images of this reading came alive for me hearing this priest's story. He told of the shepherds who would walk out ahead of their flock, singing a distinctive song that the sheep recognized. The shepherd took them to fresh pasture and water.
He told of the shepherds who would lead the sheep into a safe enclosure for the evening, inspecting them closely every night for cuts or bruises or injuries. Then the shepherd lay across the opening of the sheepfold, his body as a physical gate protecting the flock during sleep.
He told of a courageous search for a lost lamb, and the persistence of the shepherd who tirelessly sought the animal until he found it. Then he carried the wounded beast on his shoulders for miles to the safety of the flock. There was a celebration for the lamb's return.
There is something evocative and personal about the image of the shepherd. Many people have let this be a living metaphor for their relationship with God in Jesus.
Each morning we can allow ourselves to be awakened by the song of the shepherd, calling us confidently into the new day. We can listen alertly to his call, leading us to the water and pasture of our daily adventures. We can entrust ourselves to the protection of the vigilant strength of the shepherd whose rod and staff and sling protect us from danger. We can live simple, trusting lives, letting ourselves be guided by the shepherd, rather than feeling it is our responsibility to control the environment. The shepherd will give us our daily bread and lead us to good pasture. Listen. Throughout the day, as we work and move and play, we can always have a part of our awareness awake to the presence and leading of the shepherd, always ready to respond to his call or song to move and follow, to feed and rest. If there are times when we are injured or badly hurt, we can let the shepherd carry us on his shoulders, trusting his strength when ours is weak. In the evening, we can let the shepherd inspect the accumulated nicks and bruises of the day, bandaging and anointing whatever needs healing attention. We can sleep in confidence behind the gate of the shepherd's protective protection, entrusting ourselves at evening as well as at day to the loving care of the one who shepherds us.
Today is the feast of Frederick Denison Maurice who wrote, "We have been dosing our people with religion when what they want is not this but the living God." There is a difference between teaching the metaphor of Jesus the Good Shepherd and living it personally as one who follows and trusts the Good Shepherd. Jesus offers a personal and intimate invitation to be our shepherd and to lead us to good pasture today.
One more thing. In John's gospel, Jesus says that he has other sheep that are not of this flock. F.D. Maurice was a proponent of a form of religious pluralism that allows for unity in diversity of faith. There are many flocks, yet all of the sheep belong ultimately to God, who leads them with the shepherd's song that sings in many keys. We can trust God not only to lead us, but also to lead all humanity toward the living waters of love and compassion that Jesus feeds us with. May all be nourished with the daily bread of lovingkindness.
Lowell
_____________________________________________
Audio podcast: Listen to an audio podcast of the most recent Morning Reflections from today and the past week. Click the following link: Morning Reflection Podcasts
About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.
Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html
The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.
Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org
Our Rule of Life
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.
Lowell Grisham, Rector
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
posted by Lowell @ 8:14 AM
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