Do Something, Be His Sheep

Do Something, Be His Sheep Monday Morning 298                          April 27, 2015

 

Friends of Faith:

We are called to DO something, because we believe something. Just saying we believe isn’t enough. We are called to put our faith into action.

And who leads us? Who do we follow? How do we know that what we are doing is right and that who we are following is leading us on the right path?

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” Jn 10: 11-18

Are we following Jesus Christ or is our shepherd the hired man who runs when the going gets tough?

And where are all the sheep? Why do so many say they believe in God, yet so few seem to honor that belief? What is so difficult about the institution of Church and the authority of following a leader whom Christ put in charge?

In His death and resurrection Jesus has already done my work for me, IF I would only follow His lead. If like a sheep I would allow Him to take on my difficulties and challenges. Then my job could be much easier.

What about the hired man who runs when the wolf comes. How many times am I led astray, wandering because I have followed the wrong shepherd, a devil whose interest lies in his own self-fulfillment, or a devil who encouraged me to take it on myself, to become my own leader without regard to His authority or whomever else my decisions might affect? Have I become my own God?

And what about when the hired man disappears after making me a promise that my happiness will come through social acceptance, career success, or material wealth; am I then left scattered, disillusioned and searching for something more without the guidance of God’s truth and mercy?

I think personally that I most often resist the notion of giving up control because I fear that I may follow the hired man and be left wandering. And even though I respect authority by being in control of myself (and of all that happens around me) I will not only get myself out of a situation but I will be sure others also are led a better way. 

And yet it is God’s way that is the best way and His plan and how that is carried out is only known by Him. That is why I am to be His sheep, led and nurtured by Him, with Jesus Christ and those he has given authority to, as my Good Shepherd.

 

This doesn’t mean that being a Christian (a sheep following Christ) will be easy. On the contrary being a follower of Jesus means I may have to wander in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights so that I come to know who is in control. It may mean that I have to accept and bear a cross that I am given so that others may see my faith. And it may mean sacrificing my wants so that someone else will have what they need. It means serving and loving so that my joy and happiness is found not in my own comfort, but in the rewards of seeing others come into the flock, in being unified with and for Christ.

It means showing my respect and belief in His authority by following Jesus into His home (my home) the Church at least once a week (every week) where I am allowed to receive His Spiritual encouragement in Scripture and physical food in the Eucharist and to share and to be encouraged by others who also believe.

Heavenly Father I am thankful that you have given me Your Son as My Good Shepherd. Help me to see in Him the light which guides my choices and encourages me to be more for Him AND to do more for others. May my reward here on earth be to see more come into the flock so that together we will follow You into the greatest reward, heaven. Thank you for the Good Shepherds, Priests, Bishops and Deacons in my life. Amen.

Jesus the Good Shepherd is continually looking for me and waiting for me to follow, ready to take me in and give me everything I need. His way is the best way.

May Christ lead me to do His will because I believe in Him,

Blessings,
Charlotte

 

Imitate and Follow

Women of Faith:
I’ve heard it many times: “don’t do what I do (did), do what I say.”

But in reality, most of us don’t follow spoken instructions (or even written ones) very well. Instead it is easier to watch what someone else is doing and follow their lead.

“And whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” Mt 10: 38

Christ had no scripture written down to follow, but he had the example of the prophets and the leadership of the Jewish teachers. He did what His Father, God, asked, and willed, for Him to do.  

We look to others for leadership and examples to follow. We search for what is successful (by our standards) and then we try to follow and imitate those successes. But are these worldly successes or God’s successes? Are we following THE image of Christ?

And many times we look far away from our own circle. We search for someone who has “clout” or that we think are rich and famous so that we might imitate them and make them our example.

“And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.” Lk 4:24

So who are we overlooking? What examples of kind, compassionate and courageous are right in our midst? Who has God placed in our path to teach us holiness? (And who are we teaching by our own example?)

Do you know of someone who is suffering from a long term illness or has a family member who is chronically ill? Do you know of someone who has recently lost a loved one thru illness or accident? Do you know of someone who is unable to find a job, suffers from mental illness or addiction?

Their suffering, and those who help them and care for them, might be the living examples that we are supposed to be following, and that we are supposed to model.

Are we overlooking Christ in our midst? Are we overlooking an answer to a problem because it is too close to us? What examples of kind, courageous and holy are right in front of us? Who has God placed in our path to teach us holiness? (And are we being an appropriate example to others?)

"Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.” Jn 12: 25-26

Heavenly Father, In your honor and glory may I follow you always. Thank you for giving us Your son to be our leader and living example of service to others. Help me to pay attention to the examples you set so closely in front of me and to be courageous enough to imitate Your actions. Change me to always be ready follow YOU as your servant! Amen.

God’s will, and Christ’s example, may not provide the easiest answers, nor produce the fastest results, or even be the most popular answer. But He is always near and ready to guide us by His presence. May we always be ready to do the same “unto others” as he did for us.

Let us follow Him!
Blessings,
Charlotte

A BIG Fish Story

Women of Faith:

Sorry ladies, this is a “fish” story; the men probably can’t wait….

But unlike the “fish stories” most of you have heard, this is the story of Jonah and the whale and it is much bigger and much more real, because it is the gospel truth, told by God, the real “fisher(of)men.”

The Preface: The Ninevites have succumbed to evil so God asks Jonah to save them. But Jonah, because of his hatred of the Ninevites, disregards God’s call, and travels in the opposite direction. Because of his hard hearted choice Jonah ends up being thrown overboard into the sea and he is swallowed by a big fish. In 3 days (the same time Christ died and rose for us) Jonah humbles himself enough to ask forgiveness, place His trust in God and answer His call at which time he is released from the “Big Fish.”(Jon 1,2)

“Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day's walk announcing, "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed, " when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast
and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.” Jon 3: 1-5, 10

It’s a story where I as a Christian have seen (and see) myself in every role: from the sinful Ninevite who wants/ed my own way; to Jonah who wanted to judge who should be helped, loved and saved (helps, loves and saves.) I can relate to the whale who is waiting (somewhat) patiently and (mostly) compassionately, holding Jonah, until he changed his way. I have also been the Ninevite who converted and asked for forgiveness, and the Jonah who realizes his life is in God’s control, it is not his role to judge, and he is to do God’s will and spread the good news wherever God asks.

God asked Jonah to spread the good news to the Ninevites who were doing evil (definitely not the chosen ones) because God is not particular about “who” is saved, just that “ALL” our saved. And the story teaches that if we truly believe, ask and repent of our sins (put on our sackcloth, shed our pride and be humble and obedient) then God will forgive us regardless of our past.

Think about how many of the stories of the gospel focus on the lives of farmers, shepherds and fisherman—using nature’s analogies of growing, catching and harvesting—to teach us how to grow God in our own lives, to “round up” and “catch” more of humanity thru evangelization, and to show us the urgent need to always be ready for God’s “harvest” into heaven.

“Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.” Mk 1:14-20

Heavenly Father: I praise your infinite wisdom that teaches me your way, using professions which provide both earthly food, and heavenly sustenance.
May I be a better fisher(of)men; a better farmer who knows that the end is always near and the harvest is in your control; and a better shepherd of all. Thank you for giving me the food of the Eucharist and the example of the prophets in the bible. Amen.

The Afterword: Do I truly understand, trust and act as if the end of the story is continually drawing nearer? Do I believe in and ask for God’s forgiveness? Do I spread His good news so that others will have the chance to follow? Do I seek His hope and live each day with the joy and peace of His promise for eternity?

May God lead us this week to be “fishers(of)men” who trust in His story and with the urgency of knowing the end is near, change our lives to accept, forgive and spread His BIG fish story,

Blessings,
Charlotte