We all
recognize the voice of someone we love; and we can recall what that voice that stirs up
in our hearts - joy, peace, expectation, longing.
This
morning we hear the voice of the Lord Jesus our Shepherd. He assures us that we
belong to him, we belong to God, no matter what. We have been given to Jesus by
his Father. As we belong to the Father, so we are the Father’s gift to the Son;
we are and will always be God’s children in the Spirit. “No one can take you
out of my hand, no one,” says Jesus. This is our truth, our reality. Jesus
whispers this truth, calling us by name. But too often, so often there are
other voices that beckon us, competing with Jesus’ voice for our attention - desires,
temptations, the things we think we need.
But the
Shepherd keeps calling; he won’t stop. He
is always drawing us, calling us away from all the other stuff that cannot
possibly satisfy us. He wants us to come to him for everything we need. And in
the Holy Eucharist, he will give us everything – all that he is. He sets the table
and invites us to sit, rest, eat and drink. We belong to God. God is for us,
God is with us, he wants to refresh us. Please, let us remember how hungry and
thirsty and weary we are and come to him.
The Abbey garth photographed by Brother Brian.
