Peace be with you
I was recently in a conversation where we were discussing John’s Gospel 10:19-30 as an opportunity to explore the challenges of practicing discernment. Discernment is a critical spiritual practice, one that is essential in living out our baptism. In baptism we are offered forgiveness of sin and newness of life in grace. The question we were exploring was how do we discern and understand how to live more fully in our life of grace. I turned to our Book of Common prayer offering the prayer that is offered over all those after they are baptized. I also work with this prayer as our charge in living out more fully our life in Christ. In the prayer, we pray:
‘Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen!’ (BCP, 308)
Indeed we called to continually grow in our seeking God in all that God has created and yet it is challenging work, hence requiring discernment.
So it is no surprise to me that in this Gospel message living out our baptism is brought to our attention. The section of John comes at the end of what is called the Good Shepherd discourse. It is that discourse where Jesus uses the imagery of shepherding a fold/flock of sheep. It speaks of a very intimate relationship held together by recognizing the voice of the Good Shepherd. This discourse directs our attention to listening and hearing as essential in practicing discernment. And that is very true. It also adds beyond listening that to follow the example of the Good Shepherd one is also willing to give up their life for the flock. This names what baptism also signifies a death per se. ‘Through the Paschal mystery, dear friends, we are buried with Christ by Baptism into his death, and raised with Christ to newness of life. (BCP, 292) In this way baptism is our entry into the flock of Christ where we continually grow and live out our baptism for life eternal.
Yet as important as it is for listening as part of our baptismal life it is not enough. As highlighted in the Gospel account. Those in the Gospel are finding all the metaphors and allegory tough to follow simply the voice. They are seeking clarity in the voice and want to hear ‘plainly’ or simply that the voice of Jesus is actually that of the Anointed One or Messiah. So they courageously ask for clarity. Jesus in response answers, ‘I did tell you, and you don't trust. The work I do in my Father’s name is evidence on my behalf.’
This is a great reminder for us all in our practice of discernment and living out our baptism. Often times we focus too much on needing to hear a particular word, phrase or meme thus neglecting all the other ways communication can occur. Discernment requires us to attend to a wider understanding, a broader picture as we sort and sift to recognize and know that deep trust in God who is leading us and sustaining us on our journey, both individually and corporately. As it is again with the prayer offered over the newly baptized, it is not about hearing or seeing in one particular way, but an expansive way to grow in our work in deepening our trust in God fulfilling the promise toward a time when God will be all in all.
Peace
