Simply Soul Searching

WEEK THREE- JOY: PERSONAL REFLECTION

This week we took another look at several Bible passages about sheep and shepherds. Jesus blesses us as our dear Shepherd, as One who looks out for our good, who tends and guides us, who nurtures and protects us, who always brings us into the shelter of his love. We remembered Moses and the joy he could have in knowing that everywhere he went, God was with him; he was always on holy ground. We rejoice in that God searched for us and found us, even before we knew we were lost. We are grateful for Jesus’ kind mercy and empowerment for Peter, who had failed him three times.

~Which of these stories resonated with you most? What would be the reason it did?

~Are you generally a joyful person? What do you see as the reason for your joy or your lack of joy?

~Can you recall a moment when you felt deep, abiding joy? Have you ever felt an inexplicable joy during a difficult time?

~Can you recall a time when you felt lost- physically or emotionally? Who served as the shepherd for you?

~Have you ever been led astray by someone dear to you, someone you trusted? What insights did you gain, what lessons did you learn?

~Have you been a shepherd of joy for someone in your life? In what ways did you serve that person?

~Do you currently feel a calling from God to journey on a new adventure? How does Moses’ example help you?

~We find great joy in Peter’s story, in the knowledge that Jesus loves us anyway! In what ways are you ready for a new beginning? What might you leave behind in order to move forward?

~What is giving you the greatest joy this Advent?

Spend some time in quiet and grateful reflection.

YOU AND I: SHEEP OF THE SHEPHERD

As we wind up our week with the shepherds, learning how we might become Perceivers of Joy in these stories, today we turn our focus to us. How are we like sheep, and why do we need a shepherd?

Light the Prophecy, Bethlehem and Shepherd Candles.

Mark 6:34 (NRSV)

As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 

How are we like sheep? Why does Jesus refer to us as sheep so often? In reading a few informational articles, I learned about a few qualities that could describe us and why we need a Shepherd.¹

I was delighted to learn that sheep are not stupid, as they have often been described. We hear stories of sheep foolishly following one another over cliffs, but this happens only because sheep band together for protection from predators. They find safety in numbers. Sheep also have a following instinct, so when one moves, they all move, in order to stay together. Sheep huddle together and move away from any danger or perceived predator, but sheep also tend to move toward perceived friends, such as the shepherd who feeds them.

Because sheep are so easily guided and moved, we can understand the importance of having a leader who truly loves and cares for them, a leader who knows best what sheep need. We too, need a shepherd who guides and protects, who feeds and shelters, who keeps us together and away from harm.

How often have we been led astray by others who do not have our best interests in mind, who are only looking out for their own self-interests? How often might we be wrongly influenced by those around us who are enticing us to follow? How often do we get caught up in the “flow” or tendencies of our culture, our family systems, or our worldviews, instead of allowing a loving and wise Shepherd to lead us along a new and better path?

We find our joy in having a Shepherd who will lead us in the right direction. We are Perceivers of Joy each time we allow our Shepherd to nurture us, care for us, guide us, keep us together, and take us home.

Prayer: Good Shepherd, thank you for the joy of being your sheep, in your care. Amen.

(Some of the articles I read…)

¹http://livestocktrail.illinois.edu/sheepnet/paperDisplay.cfm?ContentID=1; ¹http://www.sheep101.info/201/behavior.html

FEED MY SHEEP

Today’s passage occurs after Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection. The disciples are fishing- but without any success- when Jesus calls to them from the shore. When they recognize Jesus, they hurry to him and find that he has cooked breakfast. (Doesn’t this story just make us want to smile?)

Light the Prophecy, Bethlehem and Shepherd Candles.

John 21:15-17 (NRSV)

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” 

Bible scholars have written of the significance of Jesus’ words to Peter. He asks Peter three times if Peter loves him. Each time Peter says that he does, Jesus then simply replies, “Feed my sheep.” We recall that Peter denied Jesus three times when Jesus was being crucified. Jesus is entrusting Peter to feed his sheep as a symbolic redemption for each time Peter denied that he even knew Jesus. Jesus asks him to declare his love, and then commands him to care for others out of that love.

We are Perceivers of Joy when we understand how Jesus saw beyond Peter’s brokenness and once again affirmed Peter’s love and obedience. Our joy comes in noticing how Jesus doesn’t seem angry with Peter. As a human himself, perhaps Jesus understood the fear that Peter must have had, and so Jesus only invites him to move on from there.

We are broken as well, and yet Jesus calls us for breakfast, to come and break bread with him. We are imperfect, and yet Jesus entrusts us to share his life and love for all people. Jesus knows we will make mistakes- Peter certainly did- but he can still use us in all circumstances or situations. At times, we see how even our mistakes can lead to greater good.

Our joy comes in knowing that as imperfect as we are, we are still included in Jesus’ invitation to partake of his perfect meal. We are invited to gather together in his presence, to be fed and nourished as only Jesus can do. As imperfect as we are, we are still included in Jesus’ invitation to take part in his perfect plan to feed his sheep. We are invited to nourish all who are hungry, and to welcome everyone who longs to gather for the meal Jesus has graciously prepared for us all.  

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for inviting us in and sending us out. Thank you for the joy of gathering with you at the table, and for the joy of being entrusted to share what we have received at the table- your love- with the world. Amen.

THE LOST SHEEP

Today’s parable is one that Jesus tells his followers shortly after he describes true greatness as becoming like humble children. He adds, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5). Jesus often tells his disciples- and is telling us as well- to care for the lowest and the least of humanity. He follows up this instruction with the parable of the lost sheep.

Light the Prophecy, Bethlehem and Shepherd Candles.

Matthew 18:12-13 (NRSV)

What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.

1 John 3:1 (NRSV)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.

We can be Perceivers of Joy in so many ways here!

The shepherd’s joy in finding the lost sheep extends to us for several reasons. First, we find the joy in knowing that God loves and seeks us first- even before we know we are lost- and that God has joy in doing so. We find the joy of knowing that God will go to great lengths to find any one of us when we stray. (We may wonder how the shepherd could leave the 99 sheep to seek the one. Sheep huddle together for safety and protection- so the 99 still have one another.)

We also find joy when Jesus tells his disciples to welcome the children- and then to see that WE are his children! We are included as the least of these. In that humility, we recognize that all of us, all people everywhere, are merely children; but we are God’s beloved children. And we are all in this together, called to “huddle” and help and love and serve one another. We are then called to share this joy of Christ and community, reaching out for others who are longing to be embraced into the fold.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for seeking and finding us. Make us your joyful servants- to become beacons of your light for those who need one. Show us how to help one another, and how to welcome everyone into your loving presence. Amen.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

Many of us can recite Psalm 23 by memory. This psalm has brought peace and comfort to many people, especially in times of illness, death or other hardships. What is it about the image of God as our Shepherd that brings us peace, comfort- and even joy?

Light the Prophecy, Bethlehem and Shepherd Candles.

Psalm 23:1-4, 6 (NRSV)

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me…

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.

John 10:11 (NRSV)

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Jesus reaffirms the image of Psalm 23 when he calls himself our good shepherd. As our shepherd, Jesus will protect, lead, care, tend, restore and even die for us. We find our peace and comfort when we entrust ourselves to him, sheltering under his loving guidance even in our darkest valleys. We are Perceivers of Joy in knowing that we need not worry. We are held in the embrace of the One who will safely lead us home.

Our joy is also in the words, “I shall not want.” Jesus our Shepherd provides all we need and cares for us more than we can imagine. We even find that our desire for anything else lessens as our completion and wholeness in Christ increases.

Such joy! What more could we want?

Prayer: Our Good Shepherd, thank you for leading, tending and loving us, all the way home. Our joy is in you. Amen.

MOSES, SHEPHERD OF (TWO) FLOCKS

Moses was shepherding a flock in Midian when an angel of God appeared to him in a burning bush. God was calling Moses to become a shepherd of a much greater magnitude- Moses was to lead God’s people out of Egypt, away from slavery, into a land God had promised them. This new shepherding mission was a huge and risky undertaking, and understandably, Moses felt overwhelmed and inadequate. Where could this shepherd Moses find joy in this moment?

Light the Prophecy, Bethlehem and Shepherd Candles.

Exodus 3:1-5 (NRSV)

Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Yes, God is calling Moses to a very challenging mission. Moses is only a man, a shepherd who could not do this on his own. So God shows Moses that “the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” Moses is in the presence of God, the perfect place to begin any new adventure. God goes on to promise Moses God’s guidance, strength and help. God is present in the bush, and God would be present the rest of the way. Moses would not do this alone.

In a way, each day of our lives is a new venture, a new challenge, a new calling. And we too, are standing on holy ground. God’s presence is with us, just as God was with Moses in the burning bush. We can find our joy in the reassurance that no matter what lies before us, we are in the best place to begin- in the presence of God.

Our joy comes when we are serving God with generous spirits, when we courageously answer God’s call to use us, and when we know that we are not doing any of this alone.

Take off your shoes. We are standing on holy ground.

Prayer: Holy God, we are standing on holy ground. Help us to answer your call faithfully and fully- and always with joy. Amen.

JOY: THE SHEPHERD CANDLE

Light the Prophecy and Bethlehem Candles.

Luke 2:8-20 (NRSV)

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

This week we light the Shepherd Candle, symbolizing the joy of the shepherds on that precious night of Jesus’ birth. Shepherds and sheep are mentioned throughout the Bible, and we will read some of the different passages about them this week. In each of these stories, we will look for reasons to be joyful.

According to the gospel of Luke, the shepherds were the ones to first hear the “good news of great joy” from the angels: To you… is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Once again, scholars question whether the shepherds were truly the first ones to hear the good news. But I find that the more I read the Bible for its rich, symbolic meaning, the more meaningful the Christmas narrative becomes. The shepherds become receivers of the message and Perceivers of the Joy found in that message. The shepherds are not royal, rich or renown; the shepherds could be any of us. The symbolism of the shepherds conveys to us these treasures: the good news is meant for everyone, the good news comes to us in surprising ways, and the good news brings joy for all people.

Light the Shepherd Candle.

Today we especially think of the shepherds’ joy on the night of Jesus’ birth. The good news of this Savior is our good news, too. We should feel surprising joy each time we consider this! But the Good News can easily become “old news” at times. Some of us have heard this same story for years, and we may no longer hear the message like we did that first time. We might begin to take the story for granted, or forget what Jesus endured to show us God’s love, or busy ourselves with other Christmas distractions, or fail to recognize how amazing it is that God would come to us.

To perceive is to attain awareness or understanding. Let’s make this week an invitation to revisit this story as well as other passages about shepherds and sheep, and to newly perceive the joy each one holds for us. Let’s ask the Spirit to reveal new depth and meaning for us in these incredible stories. May we never forget what a significant gift we have in joy- the joy that is available for every moment of our lives.

PERCEIVERS OF JOY

Oh, that night of pure, holy light, the shepherds’ joy and thrill!

Angels appeared, the song rang out, and our Good News was heard.

Love came down! For us was born, your Son, our Lord, Your Word.

May sheer joy spill as we follow your will,

As with their message spurred.

Prayer: We are so thankful, God, for that night of joy! Help us, like the shepherds, become true Perceivers of Joy- finding our deep, abiding joy in your love. Inspire us anew, help us to hear these words with fresh perspectives and deep gratitude. Spur us on to share this news with all who need some joy today. Amen.

WEEK TWO- LOVE: PERSONAL REFLECTION

This week we looked at a few places where Jesus lived, served and loved. We recognized that love lives in all of our Places of the Heart– places we will remember, places where we learned and grew, places where precious memories began, places where we were welcomed and cherished and treasured. Our Places of the Heart are formed where Love is found- through relationships, feelings and experiences, not in structures alone.

~What would you consider as your five favorite Places of the Heart?

~Do you have any places that may have been uncomfortable or painful, and yet became a place where you grew in love?

~If you don’t already have one, how might you create a special place for time with God?

~Jesus called the disciples, showing us the love that comes from trust and reliance. In what way might you deepen your trust in him? What personal treasure of value are you willing to place in his hands?

~Jesus healed many people, showing us the compassion and the hope he has for all of us. In what way might you show another person compassion and hope? Does someone come to mind today?

~Jesus taught us a new way of being and loving, showing us love perfected. In what way might you try to live differently today? Are you being called to think or act in new ways?

~Jesus surrendered his life in love, showing us deep abiding obedience and selflessness. Where are you most selfish? With your time? Possessions? Finances? Attention? How might you change?

~You are beloved by God. How does this awareness affect your Advent waiting?

Spend some time in quiet and grateful reflection.

YOU AND I: PERSONAL PLACES OF THE HEART

My mom has lived in the same house for over 60 years. Her home has become a deeply treasured Place of the Heart. I have already moved eight times in my adult life, so I have less of an attachment to any of the houses in which I have lived. Each time I move, I notice that once the house is emptied of pictures, mementoes, and furnishings, it is no longer “home.” The house is the shell. The love and the moments shared within our homes are what make them places of the heart. The love is in the contents, not the container.

I find it interesting that Jesus didn’t seem to have a place to call home. He was born in a manger; the gospels often depict him walking the countryside. In Luke 9, Jesus says, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (verse 58). His Places of the Heart may have been the homes of friends (especially Mary, Martha, and Lazarus), the quiet hillside spaces to pray, the boats on the Sea, and even the olive grove in Gethsemane.

Light the Prophecy and Bethlehem Candles.

Psalm 51:10 (NRSV)

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and put a new and right spirit within me.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NRSV)

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Proverbs 4:23 (NRSV)

Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life.

Our Places of the Heart are the places where Love dwells. Yes, maybe these places are our own homes, but they could also be our churches, communities, friendships, groups, vacation spots, retreat centers, quiet spaces, closets, gardens, porches, libraries, restaurants, offices, and schools. Most of all, our most intimate and personal Place of the Heart is our soul- and this is the place where Christ lives, the place where love shines, the place where love is poured in and shared out. This inner Place of the Heart remains with us and guides us in perfect love- wherever we go.

Prayer: Jesus, you may not have had a place to lay your head, but please make our hearts a welcoming and permanent place for you and your love. Amen.

GETHSEMANE

If we were to consider all of Jesus’ Places of the Heart, we would need to include the entire gospels. Each place where Jesus has been is now a place where love has reigned. Today’s place, the Garden of Gethsemane, is actually an olive grove where Jesus prayed and agonized before his betrayal and arrest. Certainly it is a painful reality of his deep, sacrificial love for us and his obedient love for God during his time of utter grief and fear.

Light the Prophecy and Bethlehem Candles.

Mark 14:32-42 (NRSV)

They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

Each of us has probably felt misunderstood, underappreciated, or even ignored at times. But here is Jesus, asking his closest friends to wait with him as he prays. While he is deeply distressed… agitated… grieved even to death, his friends fall asleep. He has only asked one thing- to keep awake and pray while they wait for him- and they can’t even do that. They seem to have no idea of the magnitude of his agony or the significance of his prayers.

We may find it easy to be critical of these disciples, but do we fully comprehend what Jesus endured (how could we)? Are we paying attention to the loving ways he is now moving in our lives? Are we hearing what he is asking us to do? Or are we asleep and unaware of his presence, alive and active within and around us? How often are we looking after our own needs instead of his?

Gethsemane is a very special Place of the Heart, as we recognize the sacrificial selflessness of Jesus, and the sleepy selfishness of us.

Prayer: Awaken us, Jesus, and keep us attentive to your Word, your Spirit, your example and most of all, your love. Amen.