In the name of our loving, liberating, life-giving God. Amen.
The words of today’s collect ask: O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of thy/your people: Grant that when we hear his voice, we may know him who calleth/calls us each by name, and follow where he (doth) leads…
Grant that when we hear God’s voice, we may know who's calling us, and then follow. Like animals who know their caregivers, or children who know their parents’ voices, like siblings, friends, or lovers who instantly turn at the sound of their names and the unique voices of those speaking, Jesus lovingly and longingly calls out our names, beckoning us into relationship with God. “My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me.” This voice of Jesus, this voice that calls out to us, is a voice we are tuned to recognize. It resonates with the same divine frequency that has been gifted to each of us. The divine spark, the irrefutable fact that we are created in the image and likeness of God, from love, out of love, for love.
I think of Mary Magdalene at the tomb not recognizing the risen Christ until, until he calls her by name, “Mary.” And then she sees him, she knows him, “Rabbi!” she lovingly and exuberantly calls out.
And Thomas the twin who missed Jesus’ return, Jesus calls him by name, “Thomas” and shows him the wounds in his resurrected body and Thomas cries out, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus calls us each by name. Jesus IS calling, WILL call, HAS BEEN calling us, into relationship, into a deeper understanding of God’s love for us, our belovedness. Do you remember your baptism? Or the baptism of a child, grandchild or friend? In our baptism, we receive our Christian names as our parents, Godparents or sponsors present us:
“We present Ryan Jacob Baker to receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism.” And the priest baptizes us, calling us by our names, “Robert Bingham Powell I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” And in a few weeks our confirmands will be called by name by Bishop Akiyama: “Defend O Lord your servant Rose Ann Bradshaw with your heavenly grace, that she may continue yours forever and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until she comes to your everlasting kingdom.” God calls us by our names. God knows us. We are God’s.
And when we hear our names, and recognize the voice of our Good Shepherd, we do our best to follow and release our lives into God’s loving care.
Do you hear Jesus calling, inviting you? Come on, I’ve got you, it’s safe, I’m right here with you, I know the way, follow me. “My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me,” says Jesus.
The type of shepherding that God is calling us into is one of ultimate care, love, and sacrifice. Jesus is not just someone getting paid to watch over us sheep and goats. Jesus is the kind of shepherd that was there from the beginning, from the pregnancy of the ewes to the birthing of the little lambs and throughout their lives as they grew and then had lambs of their own. The kind of caregiver that knows each one by their unique appearance, sound and behavior. Each sheep in his care is known and valued, loved and called by name.
Jesus, our good shepherd, guides us safely down the paths of our lives, when they are hilly and dangerous, and when they are smooth and straight. Jesus promises to never abandon us, sticking with us until the end, even if it means giving up His life for ours. Indeed, this is what He did on Good Friday, setting us an example of just how much God loves us and how much we are called to love others.
Earlier in chapter ten of John’s Gospel Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.”
Jesus has laid down his life for us. And he has picked it up again, rising from the dead, demonstrating God’s ultimate power, the conquering power of love.
When we hear God’s voice and decide to join the Christian community, to seek and serve Christ in everyone, to love our neighbors are ourselves, to strive for justice and peace among all people, to respect the dignity of every human being, we place ourselves under the care and shepherding described in the 23rd psalm.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
There’s no promise of wealth, power, or success, but we will have what we need, we won’t be wanting for anything.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
God will bring us to the light and joy of bright, green grass, and the peace and calm of still, soothing waters.
3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
God will revive our souls, bringing life and energy where there is weariness, and God will guide our lives down paths God has laid out, paths that are right for us, fitting our lives’ journey, helping us learn, grow, and know our value and find our place in this world.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
And even during those times when the evil of this world and the power of death are closing in on us, God WILL be there, we will know and feel God’s presence and we will be comforted. Now, when it feels like our lives are in a constant state of uncertainty, not knowing what COVID will bring next, what world or national politics will become, how we, our family and friends will make it through stress and trauma, past and present, God is here with us, offering comfort, accompanying us in our sorrow, anxiety and exhaustion.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
When we are having trouble getting along with others, God will smooth out the table cloth and lay out everyone’s favorites for a reconciling meal. And God will honor us, will set us apart as holy and beloved, “anointed,” and we will have SO much of God’s goodness in our lives that we won’t be able to hold it all in, it will overflow and pour out onto us and onto everyone we meet.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
And whenever we look over our shoulder, who’ll be right on our tail, following us around like a baby brother or sister? Goodness and Mercy. And with Jesus as our good shepherd, we will know that we are always welcome at God’s place, where there is plenty of room, plenty of food, and Jesus’ open arms of love beckoning, calling us home.
Siblings in Christ, sheep in God’s flock, Jesus our Good Shepherd calls us each by name, inviting us to grow, learn, and know God’s goodness and loving care. O God, grant that when we hear you, we may know you, and follow where you lead. Amen.
