Oh Lord, may the words from my mouth be from your inspiration to my heart. Amen
As we work further into our Lenten journey this year, how is everybody doing with the task of learning the 23rd Psalms? Well? So, let’s see. Let us recite together what we have learned so far, using the King James version; 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Now as we enter into the half way point of our Lenten journey, here’s the 4th verse; 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
As we have learned so far from David’s Psalms; our Lord and Savior is our shepherd, he gives us safe place to rest, calming scenery, restoration, and the right path to follow, all for his sake. We now enter into the most challenging area of our lives, walking through the dark areas of our lives and those tools used to keep us going towards our final destination.
But, before we enter into the “valley”, I want to explore thy rod and thy staff and why we feel comforted by them. Now, we’ve all heard the expression; spare the rod and spoil the child, I don’t think this is where David was going. As we all know, God gave Adam, man, dominion over the animals of the world. Now with David being a shepherd himself, before doing some work with a slingshot and some stones, knows what he needs to do in order to keep the sheep he is tending in staying, going, or doing what he wants them to do or be. He’s using a shepherd hook, or his rod and staff. A tool to help him keep the animals controlled.
My question would be, can we name some of God’s rods and staffs; i.e. “tools” that comfort us? Tools that keep us “on that right path”. What about what God gave Moses? The Ten Commandments! Those are some pretty good rods and staffs! What about the Sacraments; Baptism, Conformation, Holy Communion, Confession and Absolution, and the Church? Are not these rods and staffs God uses to keep us comforted? How about those in and around our lives who are there giving us a helping hand in our journey in this world. But, most importantly, what about our Faith? The Faith that was started when God the Holy Spirit entered in. That Faith that has grown in us by the use of God’s rods and staffs. That Faith which keeps us always looking up towards Heaven and giving thanks and praise for such a loving and caring Father, who sent his own Son to become that spotless lamb, who in just a couple more weeks will become the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Who’s blood will wash away the sins of the world. When Jesus Christ will stretch out his arms and show’s us just how much he loves us. That with Christ’s death on the Cross, that is Jesus walking in the valley of death. Who on the third day, defeats deaths grip and triumphantly rises from the grave.
Which brings us to our walking through that dark valley and why we are not afraid. We are not afraid of this valley, not only because Jesus in walking with us, but because we have already been through the valley before. We not physically, but yes, we’ve been to the valley of death. We all have been there at our Baptism! For as the Sacrament of Baptism was been done to us, our sinful self was in that valley and who do we see there with us? Jesus Christ! And with a smiling face says follow me, for I now claim you as mine, my brother or sister. Let us arise child of God and be not afraid, afraid of death sting. For I have paid the price and you are free. And as the words of “you are now marked with the Cross of Christ forever”, we now have become heirs to the Kingdom of God and as heirs, the fulfillment of the promise made at our Baptism.
So, as we walk through this life, fear not for Christ is with you. When we feel the hurt and pain of those we care about being called home, remember what Christ has done for us and know that as they are walking through the valley of death, it is Jesus Christ himself leading us safely to the promised land.
As we continue our Lenten journey, take comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ has made his journey to the cross for our sake, for the full payment of our sins. That as we are all getting older and God could call us home at anytime. Be not afraid of your walk through the valley of death, for our Faith tells us that we will arrive safely through that valley and that we will see our Lord and Savior face to face. And to see Jesus still smiling as he was on our Baptismal day and saying welcome home!
Praise be to God. Amen