The Rev. Virginia W. Nagel
Episcopal Diocese of Central NY (Retired)
We are still in Eastertide, and today's Bible readings, for Good Shepherd
Sunday, give us continued instruction on what it means to live as Easter people.
Today's readings remind us of the empty cross: one piece of wood going up,
leading us to God, and one piece of wood going across, connecting us with one
another.
Most of us know Psalm 23 pretty well. We usually hear it at funerals, but it
is really a psalm or song that reminds us of our relationship with God and with
one another. It begins with the familiar words, The Lord is my shepherd.
Most of us are not farm people any more, and so we may not be very
knowledgeable about what a shepherd does. Basically, a shepherd has complete
responsibility for the flock of sheep. The shepherd sees that they are fed and
cared for, drives away predatory animals who are trying to get a tender sheep
for a meal, sees that the sheep are sheltered in bad weather, makes sure that
they don't get lost or go hungry or thirsty, or eat poisonous weeds or drink
dirty water. The shepherd has to be doctor to the sheep, and sometimes a
midwife, assisting at lambing time. As time goes on, the sheep get to know their
own shepherd's voice, and he can call them out of a mixed flock. The sheep will
follow the one whose voice they know. They come to trust that person for
everything in their lives. They know that if they get lost or hurt, he will come
looking for them and see that they get safely home.
That is, basically, why Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd. We are the
sheep and we should know him well enough to follow him in everything. We should
feel able to trust Jesus, take to him all our needs and problems, trust in his
love and his care for us. There is a passage in the third chapter of the book of
Proverbs that perfectly explains how we should follow Jesus, our Good Shepherd:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and not in your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.
Psalm 23 reminds us of all this: if we simply trust completely in God, he
will see that we have all we need. He will see that we have times for quiet
contemplation and prayer, refreshing clean water, rest for body and soul,
guidance in times of decision-making or trouble. He will see that we have the
food we need, and are guarded from evil and terror. His goodness, guidance and
mercy will cover all our needs (although not necessarily our wants!) and we will
have the peace of mind of knowing that he is always with us and we are always in
his care.
Now, let's look at John's pastoral letter. A pastor, according to one of our
old, beloved hymns, is one who helps Jesus in his shepherding of the people:
The Master Pastor deigns to share with other pastors His own care
Of all the sheep; the lost to reach; the wounded to bind; the young to teach.
That, of course, is often sung at ordinations, to remind the newly ordained
what is expected of a pastor. But we are all called by our Baptism to be pastors
to one another. We are called especially to do "practical pastoring" and see
that the basic needs of all people are met, as best as we can. We are to feed
the hungry and provide clean water for the thirsty; we are to care for the sick
and bind up the wounds of those who are injured. We are to work for justice and
earnestly try to provide mercy for those suffering from injustice or hurtful
policies or attitudes. As John says, that is loving, not in word or speech, but
in truth and action. We receive from God what we need, and we need to help him
provide what is needed by others. In this way we carry on the work and the name
of Christ, and show that we are Christians by our love for God and for our
neighbor. In this way, we do as St. Paul bids us, and "put on Christ."
Eastertide is the time that we remember that Jesus willingly gave up his life
out of love for us. And so, we accept his love and let him lead and guide and
care for us. And, having put on Christ, we show his love for all people, by
continuing his work of feeding, healing, loving, and teaching, sacrificing a few
hours or a few dollars as we share in his sacrifice of himself. In doing this,
we also, like Jesus himself, give glory to God through our willing sacrifices,
showing his and our love for God's children wherever and however we may
encounter them in our daily rounds. By doing this, we are re-formed into God's
own image, the image of Christ, as was God's plan when he made us. By doing
this, we show that we are living a new life, the Easter life of Christ. Amen.
