The Good Shepherd

Today, as I have a Sunday off from preaching, I have prepared a brief online reflection based on three of the lectionary passages set for today.  The passages are:  

Psalm 23;   1 John 3:16-24;    John 10:11-18; 

In Psalm 23, we are invited into the imagery of the shepherd and his flock. The well-known and familiar imagery can get lost in our familiarity with them, but the Psalm remains rich with poetic imagery that can inspire us and plant seeds of hope within us for the Psalmist speaks to the fundamental human need and longing for guidance, protection, and sustenance. In the vast expanse of life's journey, we find comfort in the idea of a shepherd who leads us to green pastures and still waters, providing us with the nourishment and rest we need to thrive.  The imagery of the shepherd caring for his sheep in speaking to the universal longing for protection and nurturing I invites us to contemplate the possibility that there is a Higher Wisdom at work that we refer to with the word God, that seeks our highest good. It reminds us too of the importance of compassion and care for one another, regardless of our religious beliefs.

In the first letter of John verses 16-24, the themes of Psalm 23 are carried through as we encounter a powerful message about the nature of love. Love, as described here, is not merely a sentiment but a radical way of living. 

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

And so the passage suggests that Love is demonstrated through tangible acts of compassion, generosity, and solidarity with those in need. This love transcends religious boundaries and speaks to the universal longing for connection and belonging. As Non-Subscribing Christians, we embrace this call to love one another, recognizing that it is through our actions that we affirm our shared humanity and through our practical acts of love that we demonstrate our Christian commitment.

Lastly, in the Gospel according to John 10:11-18, Jesus presents himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. Vs 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” It is a passage that carries a profound message of selflessness and sacrifice. The Good Shepherd is willing to put the needs of others before his own, demonstrating a deep sense of empathy and compassion. This is contrasted with the hired hand, who only looks after his own interests and runs away when trouble comes. In a world often marked by division and self-interest, this portrayal of leadership serves as a powerful reminder of the values we should hold dear as followers of Christ.

As we reflect on these passages, they are an invitation to recommit ourselves to embodying the spirit of compassion and love in our daily lives. May we be like the good shepherd who cares for his flock, extending a helping hand to those who are vulnerable or in need. May we practice a love that knows no boundaries, reaching out to our fellow human beings with empathy and understanding.  And may our actions reflect the deep-seated belief that we are all interconnected, bound together by our shared humanity and held by a Wisdom that is greater than our own. 
Amen.