Journeying to Grace

Last week we reflected on the loving care of our Good Shepherd. Though our image of ‘shepherd’ is a pastoral guide, leader, and provider, it is also a verb. It is an action of love, and we are entrusted with the call to shepherd one another. We have a one, true Good Shepherd, THE Good Shepherd, and by His Resurrection, we are missioned to follow His example. ‘I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.’ (John 13:15) Jesus shares this instruction after He washes the feet of His disciples. With this, He calls all of us to serve one another unselfishly and imitate His actions of humility and compassion.

So what does our shepherding look like? It is different for each of us, but we do our best to proceed in ways that are not hurtful, but supportive in His merciful love; not false, but witness to His saving truth; not discouraging, but hopeful in His healing grace. Our shepherding may come through what we do or say – or perhaps what we don’t do or say. It’s an invitation to connect in faith and grace with one another and be aware of, and seek, members of the flock who are injured in mind, body, or spirit and have begun to wander or go astray.

Though we try with good hearts, we are imperfect and may miss our opportunities to be good shepherds. I felt this not long ago when I listened to another person of faith speak very poorly about someone else. Not as an observation or recalling a situation but simply as an insult. Though it seemed like a small transgression, I still stood by in silence instead of taking the opportunity – accepting the invitation – to encourage my friend’s spirit to a better way, to the way of God’s love.

The Lord is our shepherd, and by His example, calls us to faithfully lead each other to Him. Especially in our encounters of faith and in our roles as members of the Body of Christ, let us pray for the grace of awareness to reach for one another with a spiritual hand and do our best to follow the model we have been given.