the good sheep

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Reflection for Good Shepherd Sunday (May 7, 2017) at Trinity by the Sea, Port Aransas: 
Greetings from Austin, where I officiated at the marriage of one of my dear long time friends. I originally had plans to drive back Saturday night or Sunday morning, then Laura reminded me that I am a human, and cannot be everywhere, all the time. So this Sunday I'll be worshipping in Austin, and these wonderful lay leaders are leading worship at Trinity.

Good Shepherd Sunday is actually an appropriate Sunday for your pastor to be away, and an opportunity for all of us to remember who our Good Shepherd is. Christ reminds us that he is our Good Shepherd who is leading us beside the still waters and restoring our souls, even in the presence of those we perceive as enemies.

Christ is the Good Shepherd and while I strive to be the best priest and pastor I can be  to this community, I lead as one more sheep in the flock, listening for the voice of Our Good Shepherd.

Following the Good Shepherd is a practice of trust. Trust that God knows more than we know. Trust that even in the valley of the shadow of death, God will provide safe passage.

It also means trusting that all our fellow sheep are seeking to follow this same Good Shepherd. One of us may go over the bridge, while another skips across the rocks in the creek; as long as we are headed toward the Shepherd's voice we will arrive.

Pay attention, as you go through this week, to the many voices in our world that would distract us from God's voice,
who might keep us from hearing our Good Shepherd. Notice, too, when we do we give into the anxious and fearful outlook that would leave us thinking we don't have enough; that we aren't enough; or even that God is not enough. Then simply return, intentionally, to listening for the voice of God.

The message of Psalm 23 is that whatever situation we find ourselves in, that God will be with us, that we will want for nothing, that God is enough, and that as the flock of the Good Shepherd we are enough. I am grateful that I get to follow the Good Shepherd with you, where God is leading us, setting a feast in the wild places, and protecting us when we would otherwise be afraid.

May the Peace of our Good Shepherd be always with you.

Brother James

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