The poetry of Psalm 23 speaks to us in the simplest of
terms that belie the intricacy of its depth. Jesus would, of course, have known the psalm
and it is a perfect pairing to his
continuing "discussion" with the religious authorities in this
week's Gospel of John.
The symbolism in this well-known Psalm is
far more complex and fascinating than just the obvious image of a man
walking down a country lane with a big staff and a dog, the shepherds
of the arid regions of the middle east separating sheep from goats, or the
pretty girl of nursery rhymes with a bow on her crook as the sheep
dutifully follow. Along with the earlier verses in John 10 (which I encourage you to read), taken
line by line we can see, feel, and almost hear Jesus, our Shepherd, with us,
reviving, caring, comforting, and anointing. Watching over us, preparing
our table, restoring us; nothing we need is withheld.
Our Good Shepherd's job is never done. The
demands on real living shepherds are constant and endless. Sheep are
peculiarly needy and helpless creatures, quite restive, and even
self-destructive at times. They can stand still for hours or bolt into stampede
because an apple drops unexpectedly from a tree. The shepherd must keep continuous vigil against disease, insect infestations,
predators, pecking-order fights, escape artists, water, and food
supplies. Sheep will NOT lie down unless they are completely contented and
secure. A special oil mixture that the shepherd prepares and swabs (anoints) around each sheep's head and nose keeps deadly insects
from burrowing and causing panic, disease, and injury, and
the sheep is calmed for at least a little while. Then there
are shearing and lambing seasons...*
The sheep know their shepherd's voice and it comforts
them. Do we know the voice of our Shepherd? Do we stand by as those in
our own or other flocks are in need and refuse ~ or neglect ~ to give help?
Jesus, as Peter told those in religious and political authority after the
Crucifixion, was the Cornerstone of our Salvation rejected and executed by
them. But Jesus, the Good Shepherd stood firmly, and peacefully, in the midst
of their persecution, and laid down his life for us, his sheep.
Some days
I feel pretty sheepish and need that still small voice of God as reminder to
get back into the flock, to follow and, in confidence, abide in the one
who abides in us. Time for this sheep to answer the Shepherd's call, again, and catch up with the flock. C'mon along!
*I
commend to you a charming and interesting little book, A Shepherd Looks
at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller, himself a modern-day shepherd, for a
closer look at the connections between the Psalm's imagery and real-life sheep
farming, line by line.
LET US,
GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Holy Christ, Loving Shepherd, lead our souls to Your
verdant pasture to lay aside our earthly wants for your eternal shelter. May
our hearts and minds be nourished by Your Word and Sacrifice, learn to know
Your voice as You know ours, and answer Your call.
Jesus, Cornerstone of our
Salvation
RESPONSE: Let us love in truth and
action
~ Holy Christ, Loving Shepherd, in the
violence, hatred, and desperation of Your times, You stood peaceably
as those in authority maligned and executed You. Grant us courage and fortitude
in our own desperate times to stand up, peacefully yet persistently, to urge
the political leaders of our Planet, our Country, and our Community, to
legislate and participate in peace, equity, and mercy, as well as economic and
environmental justice for all. We pray especially for: Joseph,
our President; Kamala, our Vice-President; add your own petitions
Jesus, Cornerstone of our Salvation
Let
us love in truth and action
~ Holy Christ, Loving Shepherd, comfort the hearts, restore
the hope, and give rest from anxiety, for all who suffer in body, mind, or
spirit, and for all who provide love and support. We now join our hearts
together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
Jesus, Cornerstone of our Salvation
Let
us love in truth and action
~ Holy Christ, Loving Shepherd, we give great thanks,
through our mortal tears, for those who have gone through the darkest valley to
now live again and dwell forever in the brightest light of Your Holy
House. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
Jesus, Cornerstone of our Salvation
Let
us love in truth and action
~ Holy Christ, Loving Shepherd, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
Jesus, Cornerstone of our Salvation
Let
us love in truth and action
~ Holy Christ, Loving Shepherd, with glad and generous
hearts our Earthly Pastoral Shepherds break and sanctify the Bread of Life to
bring You to us in prayer and teaching. Bless them in their work with and for
us, that together we may feed all Your sheep with goodness and mercy. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, Cornerstone of our Salvation
Let
us love in truth and action
The
Celebrant adds: Almighty God, Master of
Creation, as You have anointed us for all the days of our lives, infuse
us with the desire to walk the right pathways, gather all Your sheep into one
flock, and to love, serve, and abide in and through the Risen Christ. We ask
this though Jesus, our Shepherd and Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier
of our souls; who together with You, reign as One God, forever and ever. Amen.
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