Worship: Called by name

Come, let us worship!

Hear these words from First Peter, chapter 2, verses 24-24 and hear Christ calling to you:

Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.  For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Let us worship God together.

A prayer to center you

God,

you are a God who calls us by name,

who knows us by heart,

and loves us beyond all imagination.

Call to us now.

May we hear your voice anew.

May we center ourselves on your path.

Through your Holy Word,

may we find strength and courage

hope and forgiveness.

Amen

Holy Scripture:

John

Chapter 10

verses 1 through 10

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me[a] are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Reflection:

Sheep herding is not so common these days, so if this story from Jesus is confusing, don’t feel bad!
Of course, it appears that it was a confusing story even to the disciples. Even they need a second go at the moral of the story.

As I sat down to think of better ways to express what I think is the heart of this story, I received a phone call from my mother.

My mother was calling to tell me that a baby bird had flown into her house through the door she had left open to let the fresh spring air into the house. My mother has two cats, one of which enjoys hunting, so this is indeed an important matter. I immediately worried that I would be heading to her house to catch said baby bird instead of figuring out this odd story from Jesus. However, her story continued. As she too was worried about how to get the baby bird out of the house before that cat attacked, she suddenly heard mama bird chirping just outside the door. Slowly by surely the baby bird heard its mother’s voice and worked its way back outside. The mother bird called to it’s young one who had gone astray and called it back from danger.

What a beautiful, more relatable story about Jesus calling to us.

We too often go astray. Sometimes on purpose. Sometimes haphazardly. Sometimes out of youthful ignorance. Sometimes out of stubbornness. Sometimes out of defiance. No matter the reason, when we wander away, when we land ourselves in dangerous situation, God calls us back. When we, like the baby bird, have flown of course, placing ourselves in unknown danger, we have a loving God calling out to us to lead us back to safety.

We can trust the God, who knows each of us by name, is standing at the door calling us to safety. Like a mother bird who’s baby has flown into the view of a ready to pounce cat, God calls us by name, trying to lead us away from the danger that looms around us.

It is up to us to follow that voice.

The Word in Action…

When has God called you to a direction? Did you listen? What was the result of listening or not listening?

What helps you hear God’s voice?

How does knowing that God is always calling to us help you?

Challenge for the week!

Listen for God calling to you.

Take a few moments each day to listen for what God is leading you to do; help a homeless person? pay for someone’s lunch? Send a card to someone who is having a difficult time? Text a friend who you haven’t heard from lately?

Prayer of sending

Mothering God,

you who knit us together

who calls to us with out end

who desires good for us

call to us this week

lead us in your ways

fill us with comfort and peace

help us to trust that no matter how far we have strayed

how distant we feel

overwhelming the struggle

that you call us home

to the safety of your arms

Call to each of us now

Amen