Today’s psalm is a familiar one. The 23rd Psalm is one that is used by many in spiritual practices that guide their life, and is also a popular piece of scripture for services of rememberance. We often turn to this Psalm when we feel lost, surrounded, out of breath, when we need guidance.
Having just passed through the holiday of Thanksgiving, many of us gave thanks for the many blessings that we are afforded in this life. One of the things that we should never forget is the gift that we have in the shepherds in our lives. Let us give thanks for those who teach and guide, who show us the path and call us along. And most of all let us give thanks for the great shepherd found in our brother and saviour Jesus Christ.
Let us reflect on the words of this psalm, whether we are lost, found, seeking, or being sought.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Blessed Shepherd, call to us. When we find ourselves in the darkness of a valley that we do not know, speak that we might find our way to you and to your embrace. Remind us that wherever we go, you watch over us, you walk with us, and indeed you wait for us at the end of the path. Empower us also to be guides and shepherds to our brothers and sisters in this world, seeking together the green pastures where we find rejuvination in you and to the still waters that flow with the power of your Holy Spirit. In the name of our great shepherd, Jesus Christ, we pray. AMEN
Blessings,
REv. Richard