The 23rd Psalm and I have a long and winding history. It was a regular reading in chapel when I was
in elementary school at Samuel Ready School, I memorized it. When my Nana was about to enter the surgery
that she would ultimately succumb to the last thing she said to me was the 23rd
Psalm. When I visited my father-in-law
in hospice for the last time there was a bible in the room that I was drawn
to. I read the 23rd Psalm. It
got to a place where I could not read it without filling up with tears. Then, when my Oma died, I was asked to read
the 23rd Psalm at her funeral. I was very new to yoga at this point
but even in that newness things were shifting. At the time I did not quite
understand what was happening.
I now understand that I was processing through one of the five
Kleshas (or afflictions) - Abhinivesha. The other
four are avidya (ignorance), asmita (over-identifying with your ego), raga
(desire, or attachment to pleasure), and dvesha (avoidance). But “Abhinivesha
is a Sanskrit word meaning “will to live,” referring to the fear of death, even
if life is full of misery…Not only is abhinivesha the fear of death, it also
includes the incorrect identification of the true self with the temporary
physical body or world.”*
Everyone has experienced, and may still experience, a fear
of death. Certainly in 2020 with a locked
down world, people dying daily it is easy to let this fear of death overwhelm us.
That is where the good shepherd comes in.
He takes care of us and restores our soul. Even in the valley of the
shadow of death, like right now, I fear no evil. Jesus is my good shepherd. Living my life as one of his flock will get
me through these tumultuous times. And if not, “I will dwell in the house of
the Lord forever.”
This is my favorite Good Shepherd Anthem: My Shepherd WillSupply My Need
https://youtu.be/5I_hAhyzhfU
Easter 5 Year A
The Lesson: Acts 2:42-47
Those who had been baptized devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe
came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done by the
apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they
would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as
any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they
broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising
God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to
their number those who were being saved.
Psalm 23
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; * I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures * and leads me beside still waters.
He revives my soul * and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; * for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; * you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,* and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The Epistle: I Peter 2:19-25
He makes me lie down in green pastures * and leads me beside still waters.
He revives my soul * and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; * for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; * you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,* and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The Epistle: I Peter 2:19-25
It is the credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure
pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing
wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for
it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called because Christ also
suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his
steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was
abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted
himself to the one who judges justly. He 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.
Gospel: John 10:1-10
Gospel: John 10:1-10
Jesus said, “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.
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper
opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by
name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of
them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not
follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the
voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did
not understand what he was saying to them. So again, Jesus said to them, “Very
truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are
thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate.
Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find
pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
* https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5533/abhinivesha
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