Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 1-10 NIV)
“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.” Thomas Merton This is part of a prayer by Thomas Merton, an American Trappist Monk who died in 1968. I will read more of it after a time of silence at the end of the message. My question to you is, have you ever felt this way? “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going?” I don’t know what I should do, what I should say, where I should go. I don’t know if I should say yes or no to this or that ministry. Should I speak up or remain silent? What is your Spirit saying to me? I’m just not sure. I honestly think that if we were honest, we have all been here. We seek out God’s will, we listen for God’s Spirit, and we are never quite sure. And sometimes, let’s be real, sometimes we make the wrong choice. It is inevitable. And then what happens? There could be relationship problems. There could be burn out and exhaustion. There could be issues for the church, your family, the company you work for. As the saying goes: ‘Stuff happens’. Ok, that’s not exactly the saying but you get my drift. And suddenly, there we are, lost, feeling alone, afraid, or maybe simply embarrassed and ashamed. Well, here is the good news. God sees you; God loves you; God cares. I was talking with someone this week about our cats. It’s just something cat people do. And she shared a story that had just happened to her and her baby. She has a beautiful black cat. I can’t recall his name. Anyway, he is an indoor cat that never goes outside. In fact he is reluctant to even investigate beyond a door accidentally left opened. She said that as she went about her day last week, she had not seen her cat about. Cat owners ( I use that term owner satirically) know that cats tend to sleep wherever they want and are often out of sight during the day. You would be amazed at the cubby holes they manage to find their way into. Anyway, at some point later in the day, she went out to her garage to do some things and started tidying up the work bench. In search of something she had lost she got down on the floor and was startled to see what appeared to be an animal tucked far back under the bench. Yes, somehow, at sometime, her cat had gone out into the garage and been locked out there. Scared and alone, he hid under the work bench. It was a joyous reunion for both. God sees the frightened creature and sends his owner. God sees the clueless sheep, and sends its shepherd. God sees the needed coin, and sends the widow. Even if that shepherd or that widow or that cat owner doesn’t realize what they are being sent for. And so it is with you. No matter where you find yourself. No matter where the open door has led you. God sees you and sends help. You are that loved! The trick is, of course, to be alert enough to receive that help. In whatever form it may come. You may have heard the story of the man stuck on the roof of his house with the flood waters rising rapidly around him. A boat came by and offered to give him a ride to safety. He turned it down because he knew God would save him. A second boat came by and he refused it for the same reason. And finally a helicopter flew over and he turned them down as well. The man dies and goes to heaven. He asks God why he did not save him. God answered, “I sent you two boats and a helicopter.” God seeks you out. God hears your cries for help. And sometimes the help God sends looks different than what we expect or want. My friend's cat lingered in the shadow of the work bench until he heard her call his name. Being open to listen, being familiar with our Lord’s voice, helps us to find our way out from the shadows, or the rising waters. I am a Spiritual Director. One who helps others listen for that voice in their lives. I sincerely believe that God calls to each of us. Sadly, the church has not always done a good job of teaching us to be quiet enough to listen. There are always too many things that need to be done. At church, at home, at work. Luther said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Prayer is a two way conversation. Listening must be a large part of it. Whether you feel lost or not, God is always searching you out. The Spirit may be reaching out to you through the cashier at the grocery store, a book you are reading, a conversation with a stranger on the street, or a great sermon at church. God uses every means possible to let you know God is there. Yes, even sometimes sends your spouse. Perhaps you know the song: Open our eyes Lord We want to see Jesus, To reach out and touch Him And say that we love Him. Open our ears Lord And help us to listen, Open our eyes Lord We want to see Jesus. Maybe he comes in a boat, or a helicopter, or a dear friend. May we be open to notice and receive. Let’s take a moment together to be silent and listen. My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.” Gracious God, loving all your family with a mother’s tender care: As you sent the angel to feed Elijah with heavenly bread, assist us in this ministry on which we are sent forth. In your love and care, nourish and strengthen those to whom we bring this sacrament, that through the body and blood of your Son we all may know the comfort of your abiding presence. Amen.
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