Fourth Sunday of Easter – C2

Fourth Sunday of Easter – C2

Years C
Psalm 23

Starting with an experience that has become a faith statement, "The Lord is my shepherd," we move through a variety of additional ways to receive such an experience - lying down, leading beside, restoring, fearless, comforted, etc. - to an expectation ("shall") that this will continue or be present again when needed.

This would be clearer if we were to start with: "Having experienced a restoration that feels like the refreshment of green pastures and still waters after great want, I affirm G*D is like a shepherd to me."

As it is we get all caught up with the faith statement rather than the experience and find ourselves applying this before folks are ready to hear it. In such cases it is a guilt producer because they don't experience it this way or pie-in-the-sky theology removed from their real life. Either way, the words are mouthed, but not lived.

"Surely goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life." So test them. Take a powder-milk biscuit and do what needs to be done because goodness and mercy are always present. Goodness and mercy are the background against which any foreground risk must be seen. With this perspective we go ahead.

= = = = = = =

in the darkest night of the soul
a resolution is finally reached
evil is not to be feared

evil is not feared
what a comfort
when hokies are gunned down

evil is not feared
we can see what gun-free feast
might be set before all

evil is not feared
anointing is still possible
to lead from pain to mercy

evil is not feared
goodness and mercy abide
rosy-fingered dawn approaches