Psalm 23 invites us to believe more in Jesus’ promise rather than what fear tries to tell us
When someone mentions Psalm 23, people know the reference to the Good Shepherd. This psalm is often used to comfort and affirm people in various circumstances. Think of all the times that Psalm 23 has been part of some major life event.
Psalm 23 is often used as a comforting citation from Scripture to soothe people’s grief and give them hope. It is so important because it mentions, in poetic form, the various fears and needs that every human has.
We all want somebody to watch out for our best intentions. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, fits the bill. Everything about His life, death and resurrection helps us to know that He was and always will be the Shepherd who leads and guides us in all our circumstances.
We also know that we have sometimes lost our way from the pastures that the Good Shepherd has led us to. We decide that we know better than Jesus and choose to go our own way, making our way away from the flock and the protected area the Shepherd has encouraged us to be in. It is comforting to know that the Shepherd will come after us, place us on His shoulders and carry us back to a safe and tranquil place.
Even though we live in a land of plenty, many of our anxieties and fears are about scarcity and wondering if there will be enough. Hearing of a Shepherd who will lay a feast before us, even in the sight of our foes, helps relieve some anxiety. Psalm 23 invites us to believe more in Jesus’ promise rather than what fear tries to tell us.
So much of this psalm reminds us of what we are supposed to believe. Only goodness and kindness will follow us all the days of our lives. Do we believe that? Do we live expecting goodness and kindness? Have isolated experiences of hatred or exclusion taught us something different than that expectation? What would it take in our life to reawaken the expectation for goodness and kindness right now? Do we hang around people who are capable of giving us that?
Since most of the shepherds we’ve had are mere humans, they have not lived up to the perfection that Jesus offers as the Good Shepherd. We may have been disappointed about those in our lives who were supposed to be our protectors and advocates and instead abandoned us. I pray that Psalm 23 will be a source of blessing, encouragement and healing that will restore your expectation of goodness and kindness.
Make sure we take some time this week to thank those who have been and are good shepherds for us. If we lead and guide little ones, renew the commitment to being an image of Jesus for them. Ensure that the words we use, how we treat them when we’re with them and the value they feel reflect their goodness and the promise of Jesus.
The flock can be rambunctious and unruly, but the role of the shepherd is to help us stay in one flock, loving each other and seeing that we belong to one another and the Good Shepherd. May you be blessed with verdant pastures this week.
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
