Sermon
Being a sheep isn't what it used to be. Frankly, being a sheep is getting a bad name these days. Gone are the days of the snuggly, wooly, warm, cuddly sheep of Lambchop days (although really, that's not such a cute name, now that I think of it.). Nowadays, being a sheep has more to do with looking just like everyone else, and being an unthinking follower, blindly and loyally giving all allegiance to whatever bling catches the eye of someone ahead of us, following the masses, who are also blind. It's not a good look.
But here's the thing about sheep. They're not all alike. As a matter of fact, there are over 1,000 breeds of sheep.3 And some studies show that they are very smart. For example, they can recognize over 50 different sheep faces. Also, socially, they form bonds, form communities and they grieve.4 Yes, they band together in tight packs but they're not following blindly. When they are under attack they close into tight ranks for protection. They trust the sheep in front situationally, they're not so blind after all. And, speaking of being blind, they can actually see in almost 180 degrees because their pupils are actually rectangular in shape.
At the same time, these smart, non-conforming animals still require constant care by the shepherd. They rely on the shepherd for food, for grooming so their wool doesn't get natty and full of parasites, and to keep them together when they wander.
It's important to understand enough about sheep to know what we are being compared to when we run into scripture like we read today. The Jeremiah text we read today is the conclusion of a longer part of Jeremiah where Jeremiah is condemning the last four kings of Judah, and the leadership of corrupt monarchs in general.1
23 1Watch out, you shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, declares the Lord. 2This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, proclaims about the shepherds who “tend to” my people: You are the ones who have scattered my flock and driven them away. You haven't attended to their needs, so I will take revenge on you for the terrible things you have done to them, declares the Lord.
These are leaders who did not shepherd properly. They were not protectors of their people, they were corrupt, they did not tend to their needs, they have created situation where their people have had to leave.
As far as I know, none of us is the head of a country or region like a king or a monarch. However, we most certainly wield some power in some part of our lives. There are those places that are plainly leadership roles – a teacher, a parent, the grown up in the room with children, peace officers, medical professionals and others. But I include any of the places where what we do has an effect on others who have no power themselves to either avoid the consequences of circumstances that we create, or remove themselves from the world we create for them.
When we are in leadership positions in our families, our communities, our schools, our places of employment. When we are in a position of solving a problem, we tend to everyone concerned by trying not to create a bigger problem for someone. That is difficult because the correct decision is not usually the easiest. When we drive we make decisions that affect other people all the time. When we make decisions about wearing a mask we make decisions that affect other people. And of course getting vaccinated if medically able is crucial because that decision is life or death for other people. To do less, is to cause harm.
Jeremiah wanted the rulers to take note of what a real shepherd does; what a real leader does. A real leader tends to the needs of others. A real leader feeds the hungry; clothes the naked; heals the sick. Real leaders do not destroy or scatter. Jeremiah says that the Lord will be a good shepherd and the Lord “will bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply. I will place over them shepherds who care for them. Then they will no longer be afraid or dread harm, nor will any be missing, declares the Lord.”
This text is about renewal and revitalization. In Jeremiah, we discover that we are no longer bound by fears of an uncertain future.2 In this text too we are shown the future despite having been exiled. We will be returned to where we belong. We are not limited by our worst day; there is a future beyond our human failure; beyond God's judgment; beyond exile.2
This is what scripture teaches us. This is what we believe.
Except, when we're not sure.
At our Wednesday prayer time we share prayers that are very specific and we share prayers that are kind of open ended. The open-ended ones have to do with climate change, the planet, the world order politically, the pain and death that our divisiveness in this country is causing, and there is some despair. Yes, God will bring a future beyond our human failure, but maybe not this time – maybe the damage is already too great. Yes, God will bring a future, but maybe not before great failure in our lifetimes. It's easy to get apocalyptic. The worries and anxiety are real.
The quote at the top of the bulletin this week is from Mother Teresa. She said in part, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
The solution will always come within community. It's a double-edged sword being in community. The more we see ourselves as part of a larger whole, the more we see that the danger “over there” is our danger too. From that we might get more anxious. But, the more we see ourselves as part of a larger whole the better we can realize that we should be invested in the solutions. We can be part of bringing about the future that our Shepherd has promised.
Representative and civil rights hero John Lewis, who died one year ago, said “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Do not become bitter or hostile. Be hopeful. Be optimistic. Never ever be afraid to make some noise and get in trouble. Necessary trouble. Good trouble. We will always find a way to make a way out of no way.”
Commentator Douglas King writes, “Sometimes when we receive the promise that God will bring deliverance, we mistakenly believe we are removed from the pursuit of improving our current condition. On the contrary, we need to be deeply engaged in the world.”2
I'd love to stand up here and say, “so come on everybody! Let's go get into some good trouble!” We can do that. We can get fired up. But I waffle between getting fired up and completely honoring the fatigue that each of us is feeling for various reasons from these last 16 months, but not just that. Take a minute to think about all that has happened in your life during the last 16 months. Some have daily struggles magnified by the shut-down and slower service for things we need. We have had some new births and new children added to families and all the joy and relief and love that blossoms from that. We have also, especially just this week, had some terrible losses that we are heartbroken over, if not ourselves then for the people directly affected who we love. So no, we're not always prepared to be all fired up.
When we're not, we do things that bring us comfort. The Psalms are sometimes a great scriptural basis for comfort. The lectionary includes both Jeremiah and Psalm 23 today because we're talking about shepherds. Psalm 23 is an example of what a good shepherd does. Jeremiah was angry at leaders of a specific type. Jeremiah's language of shepherd moves to language about kings. Psalm 23 is the promise that Jeremiah talked about, in the form of a shepherd. Psalm 23 tells us what our Shepherd does. Only God can lead us beside still waters; only God can restore our soul; our Shepherd is one whom we will be with as long as we live. The language of this Psalm has been a balm for so many people for so many years in so many situations. Over the years, this Psalm has been translated and re-written in different Biblical translations, as poetry, as text for musical offerings. Anyone like the show “Vicar of Dibley?” The theme music for that is “The Lord is my Shepherd” by Howard Goodall. I have sung it and it is the sweetest song and setting.
We read two versions of the psalm today, just to take note of how each one makes us feel. One is our familiar New Revised Standard Version – which for some is too modern. Then there's the Common English Bible translation – which for some is much more natural and is easier to read. And for some, not only is it too modern, but it's also positively ridiculous! Words matter. Our memories of words matter. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” doesn't do anything for me. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,” gives me a greater sense of being cared for more deeply. “he keeps me alive.” Is nothing compared to “he restores my soul.” And “goodness and faithful love” compared to “goodness and mercy” just makes me want to scream! See what happens when these words take on deep meaning for us depending on where and when we have read them in the past? When I was brand new to church, the bible, God, the whole thing, I went on a church retreat. I didn't really know any real scripture by heart, to speak of. During the weekend I spent a lot of time roaming around and one afternoon, I had the best, most relaxing time on this smooth green grassy hill next to a tiny little bubbling stream. Look, I thought! I'm in a green pasture next to still waters! What are the chances that of the next-to-zero words from the bible that I knew, I would actually get that connection? It was an epiphany! The lived experience of words is what brings them deep meaning. If you've ever been the recipient of true mercy, then the words “faithful love” in its place might just make you yawn. “Then goodness and mercy shall follow me all of my days.” The word used for follow there is the type of following that won't let you go, that pursues you, chases you down, you can't escape. What comfort to know that God's desire for you is to grant you God's goodness and mercy, even to the point of chasing you down!
It's okay to be worried and angry that our shepherds in government are not being good shepherds. It's okay to just want to be resting by still waters. And it's great to get fired up. Wherever we are on the spectrum of energy, commitment, ability, we are called to do our part in history. We need to discern how we can use our own gifts in the best way and then act. This pandemic brought a lot to light that we might have earlier been able to set aside as not any of our concern. We cannot set things aside anymore. We need to find a way to be part of the renewal and revitalization that is coming to our communities. We have been given the gift of the leader that Jeremiah promised, in the person of Jesus Christ. As recipients of that promise, as followers of Christ we are called to find our place in this new environment we find ourselves, and continue the promise of scripture for those that come after us. We need to find ways to be good shepherds and tend to the parts of the world, and the people that we can. We need to be servants of our own Shepherd. We need to discover who is naked and clothe them; who is hungry and feed them; who is sick and provide healing; and who is a stranger and welcome them.
This is our call.
Let us pray,
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1Karen C. Sapio, Feasting on the Word series, Year B, Vol. 3, p.242-253
2Douglas T. King. Feasting on the Word series, Year B, Vol. 3, p.242-253
4Despite the popular belief that sheep are stupid, they are actually incredibly intelligent. They have very impressive cognitive ability and just like humans, they form deep and lasting bonds with each other, they stick up for one another in fights, and they grieve when they lose a friend.
5Sheep are entirely dependent on the shepherd for everything. They require constant care and watching over. So leaving them unattended can put them at risk and greatly endanger their lives.
