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 Turning our attention to the symbol of water, a substance deeply intertwined with purification, life, and healing, we will experience the transformative power of Jesus. Jesus frequently uses water as a conduit for his literal and metaphorical restorative touch. As we delve into these passages, let us consider how water, in its fluidity, reflects the flowing grace and life-giving presence of Jesus. May these readings remind us that, even in our own periods of dryness and spiritual thirst, Jesus offers a wellspring of healing, washing away our burdens and renewing us from within. A collective reflection on God’s grace and our chances for renewal Saturday, April 5, 2025 |
Trustworthy and true John 10:1-10 One of my favorite childhood movies is Babe, the quirky and endearing story of a pig (the titular Babe) whose destiny lies outside the norms of his farm. At the end of the film, Babe competes in a sheepdog trial. He struggles to get the sheep to listen to his master’s commands until he is given the “password,” a rhyme that all sheep know and respect. When the sheep at the trial hear Babe recite the password, they recognize it and do what he says. Babe receives a perfect score from the judges and thunderous applause from the wonderstruck audience, as well as quiet praise from his master: “That’ll do, Pig.” Like the sheep in the movie, the sheep in Jesus’s illustration won’t budge until they know that the one commanding them is trustworthy and true. Three times, Jesus explains that the sheep follow the good shepherd because they recognize his voice. It’s the voice of one who enters the sheepfold by the right way, who leads them to good pasture, who brings them safely home. Jesus emphasizes this point by turning to another metaphor, describing himself as the gate for the sheep. He’s the only way out of the sheepfold into the pasture, and the one who offers a “rich and satisfying life” for his sheep. We humans are not as different from sheep as we’d like to think. We muddle through life, trying to find what is good but getting hopelessly stuck or lost along the way. We need someone to guide us and rescue us. That someone is Jesus Christ, the one whose voice we will recognize, if we have the ears to hear it and the courage to follow him. Have you heard and recognized Jesus’ voice? What would it look like for you to follow him more closely? Prayer for today: Jesus would you help us hear your voice today. Embolden us to trust in that voice and to follow you. Thank you for the promise of a rich and satisfying life. Guide us toward that desire and vision you have for each of us, helping us see the next right step in a life of following you. By Allison Antrim |
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