Sermon: May 11, 2025

Readings: Psalm 23 / Revelation 7:9-19 / John 10:22-30

As disciples of Christ and Children of God, the only voice we should be listening to is that of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, who demonstrated that love, compassion, and hope are so much more powerful than fear.

It is His voice, the voice of Jesus Christ, that calls us by name with the promise that we belong to God and receive the gift of God’s eternal love. Listening to Him means we actively live out our baptismal covenant and follow where our Good Shepherd leads us as we seek and serve Christ in all people. We follow him as He leads us to strive for justice and peace, respecting the dignity of all people.

Listening means we are to spend time in prayer with Jesus about how to show compassion to those afflicted by issues that confront us; issues like abortion, aiding refugees, systemic racism, health care, gun control, and equality for those in the LGBTQ community.

Listening means we follow, trust, and embody the love our Lord and Savior has for all creation. As all three scripture readings point out, it is only by listening and following our Good Shepherd that we will find the love, peace, and tranquility we and our world desperately need.

Jesus’ message of compassion for others was counter-cultural then, and it is now. Christianity is not a spectator sport. It is up to us as the body of Christ in the world to proclaim through our actions and words, testifying to the works of Christ, to Jesus’ love and compassion, the same way He demonstrated to those who questioned him that day in the temple.

We are called to continue in His healing and prophetic ministry. We are to support one another in faith by being an open and welcoming community, allowing people to heal spiritually and emotionally from the ordeals of the world. So that they, too, may hear and listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and find comfort for their weary souls in pastures of lush green grass and rest beside pools of still water.