Our Blessing and our Calling

Wednesday April 29th, John 10: 11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus came into the room where the disciples were hiding and breathed on them the Holy Spirit and gave them the commission that as the Father had sent him, so too they were now sent. That same commission extends to us all. As the Father had sent Christ, so now we are sent.  For the disciples it was beginning in Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria and on to the rest of the world.  For us it is beginning in our home community, to the neighboring community, to the unclean and unfriendly community just outside our doorstep and on to the ends of the earth.  It is our calling, we are sent.  We are sent into the world to bring the good news, the healing, the wholeness, the reconciliation and the gift of forgiveness that comes from our loving God. We are all at the same time, sheep and shepherds, both seeking and being sought. The shepherd is willing to give his or her all for those being shepherded. That is both our blessing and our calling. Feel the breath on your neck and get up and go.