Well hello friends,
This is Mark Ludman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighbourhood monk in docks.
As we continue through Lent today,
We come to the last of our reflections on Jesus' statement,
I am the Good Shepherd.
So as we begin today,
I invite you as always to settle,
To take a deep breath in and out.
Slow down your heart and mind.
Rest into this moment of stillness in the presence of God.
And as we begin our reflection today,
Hear these words from Jesus from John's Gospel,
Chapter 10 and verse 10.
I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.
The Good Shepherd doesn't just protect the sheep.
The Good Shepherd goes about actively leading them into a full and abundant life.
This is not a shepherd who just wants the sheep to survive,
But a shepherd who wants the sheep to thrive.
This shepherd doesn't want the sheep just to have a life of mere existence,
But a life overflowing with love,
With purpose and deep,
Deep peace.
With your eyes closed,
Imagine yourself walking beside the shepherd.
The path is open before you,
Filled with light and possibility.
You're not weighed down by fear.
You're not held back by scarcity.
You walk in the freedom of the shepherd's care.
Now I wonder,
What does abundance look like for you?
Where do you feel most fully alive?
What moments in your days fill your heart with joy?
Not just happiness,
But a deep,
Deep-rooted joy.
So that no matter what happens,
No matter what the circumstances,
That joy is still there.
What moments fill your heart with purpose?
What is it that you do in life that brings meaning?
The things that you do that make you feel like you've made a contribution to the world,
No matter how big or small that contribution might look to you.
What difference does it make to someone or something else?
At what moments fill your heart with deep peace?
In what moments can you literally,
Tangibly feel the rest of God upon your life?
Those moments when it feels as if all the burdens have been lifted away,
Those occasions when we feel light and we feel free.
Now be careful as we reflect on this idea of abundant life,
Because Jesus doesn't promise a life without struggle.
Even in the midst of saying to his disciples,
Peace I give to you.
He also says,
In this world you will have tribulation.
Yes,
These things I've spoken to you so that you may have peace,
But difficulties are still going to come.
But take courage,
I have overcome the world.
Now what does that mean?
Well,
I do wonder whether the overcoming of the world that Christ has done,
Is he's shown us a way to live.
So that even in the midst of the struggles and the difficulties,
The pains and the griefs,
We can still live a life that's full and rich with meaning.
That even through those times,
Those dark valleys,
We can live a life that is anchored in love.
That we can find a life where no moment is wasted,
Because every moment is held in the hands of the shepherd.
Now I wonder,
Are there places in your life right now,
Where Jesus might be calling you to step into deeper abundance?
Is there a place where fear has kept you from trusting in God's provision?
Is there a longing in your heart,
That you've set aside thinking that it was too much to ask for?
Jesus invites you to live fully.
I have come that you may have life,
And life in abundance,
A full life,
To love deeply,
And to trust that what he gives,
Will always be enough.
Let's just pause for a moment,
And rest in this truth.
Let's pray.
Good shepherd,
Lead us into the fullness of the life that you have for each one of us.
Help us to trust in your abundance,
And help us to see what that abundance looks like,
So that we can seek the abundance that you want for our lives.
And in doing so,
May our lives reflect the joy and peace and love that comes from living in the abundance that you bring for every single person.
And may grace,
Peace and love go with us every step of the way.
Amen.
Take a deep breath in,
And out.
And let your heart expand in the presence of the good shepherd.
Let yourself believe in the life that the good shepherd offers to you.
You don't have to deserve it.
You don't have to earn it.
You don't have to qualify for it.
That abundant life is yours to fall into.
All you have to do is say yes.
And until tomorrow,
Where we'll continue with our next I AM statement,
Peace and abundant life be with you.
Amen.
