Poetry is weird.
Poetry is a kind of truthful seeing, put into words.
The poet takes metaphors and analogies and images,
and they gather together,
and are seen and said,
in just such a way that a truer truth crystalizes,
because these images were collected and connected.
The 23rd Psalm is a braiding of three thought threads
—Sheep,
Pilgrimage to Jerusalem,
and Life in God,
crystalized together and packed so tightly by the religious imaginations of both Jews and Christians down through the centuries
that this Psalm gathers meaning upon meaning into it,
like a cartoon snowball rolling down a hill.
So today, we’re going to take a little time to carefully hear the expanding meaning of this most celebrated of Psalms.
Prayer
Imagine the life of a sheep who is well cared for by its shepherd.
Yes, you are vulnerable to a variety of dangers and prone to wander.
But the shepherd’s voice calls you in to the flock.
He leads you through peril,
provides an abundance of green grass for you,
and he ensures that you have a secure sheepfold
in which to live out all of your days.
And something about that idea, shakes loose another image.
Aren’t those pilgrims traveling to Mount Zion,
to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem,
aren’t they like a flock.
In their dessert travels,
they seek oasis and wadi,
green pasture and potable water.
A guide,
or at least guiding words from those who’ve made the journey before them,
are crucial,
for there are many dangers
on the steep and windy road from Jericho to Jerusalem.
Along the way,
and still more once they arrive in Jerusalem,
they hope for hospitality,
for a safe home to stay in,
for cool and cleansing oil,
a place to decamp before the main event,
the ultimate destination
—the temple where God’s glory resides,
visiting the home of God.
Pilgrimage though, that thought pushes the imagination further still,
this movement to the center of Holiness,
is it not also a description of Life in God?
Our existence itself,
being thrown into reality,
is from God,
and God continually provides for us our whole life long
—all that is necessary and nourishing,
a good gift.
In the good times,
God is there to be thanked,
and serves as a solid rock on which to stand,
when we need to be upheld,
and serves as a bed upon which to rest and recuperate
in the rough patches.
God, you have broad shoulders,
they can bear our every disappointment, anger, and bitterness;
Lord, your shoulder is a shoulder to cry upon
and draw courage from as well;
You are with us in the shadow of death and threat of evil.
In you, we find sustenance and healing,
hospitality and invitation;
you love us so O God.
We are restless until we rest in You,
the promised end of the journey,
our pilgrimage, is the embrace of God.
Jesus is our Shepherd
—the Good Shepherd.
When we hear the Gospel, learn the faith,
prepare for Baptism
—that is green pasture for us.
When the physical sign of word and water meet you in worship,
you are being called by name like Mary at the Resurrection,
is that not the still waters we yearn for?
The Holy Spirit restores your soul,
and is sealed upon your brow with oil and promise.
Our lives lived as Kingdom people,
are the right pathways on this pilgrimage,
guided and guarded.
Christ’s voice calling us onward,
is the comfort of his rod and his staff,
He is before us
for he goes on ahead of us to prepare a place for us,
he gives us an example and empowers us
to follow his loving call to be disciples.
Holy communion is the table he prepared for us
at the last supper,
a thankful meal for us
—abundant life
—a rich feast.
This life of belonging
—we need each other dear church
—the community of the Church;
among us, is found the goodness and mercy of God that lasts a lifetime.
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