Psalm 23 and Who Are the Shepherds?

 Psalm 23 and Who Are the Shepherds?

“The Lord is my shepherd.”—Psalm 23.

Marko Andras

In an article titled “Who Is My Shepherd?” on ChristianCentury.org (July 19, 2018), Malinda Elizabeth Berry reminds us of a common misconception about the gender of shepherds. In biblical times, young girls were often shepherds, as were boys and men. For example, Berry notes that beautiful Rachel was tending her father Laban’s sheep when Jacob first saw her and fell in love with her (Genesis 29:9-10). Likewise, Zipporah and her sisters were trying to water their father’s sheep when Moses drove away other shepherds who were bothering them (Exodus 2:16-17).

We may also infer that these young, fair maidens were just as adept with a slingshot as young David!

Berry asks us whether we have seen Bible story pictures or paintings featuring girls as shepherds. I could find only a few, including one by Hungarian painter Marko Andrea (1887) titled Shepherd Girl. Berry then challenges us to consider having girls and boys dress up as shepherds in this year’s Christmas pageant! (At our staff meeting, Luke, our Family Ministries Coordinator at St. Mark’s, reminded me that, unknown to me, St. Mark’s has been including girl shepherds for years!) 

This is another example of a tradition that doesn’t align with historical facts: that shepherds should be only boys or men. It makes me wonder why I didn’t think of girls as shepherds, even after reading the stories of Rachel and Zipporah more times than I can remember. Now it is so apparent.

I hope you can share my excitement about Berry’s new insights into stories we thought we knew so well. Berry’s thoughts remind us not to gloss over old Bible stories but to look for new insights each time we read them. They also encourage us to continue researching what others are discovering in their study of the Bible. Finally, they remind us that the Holy Spirit is alive and well, continually teaching us new insights from old stories. 

Joanna. https://www.joannaseibert.com/

Finding God at a Stoplight Prayer

Finding God at a Stoplight Prayer

“God is in the kitchen, sitting quietly with a cup of coffee. God is on the street corner, waiting for the light to change. God is at the bar, watching the game on TV. God is in the beauty shop, listening to the latest stories. There is no place where we are that God is not.”—Steven Charleston, Facebook Page.

I sometimes share this short piece by Bishop Steven Charleston from his daily Facebook Page with spiritual friends who cannot seem to find answers to the question, “So, where do you see God working in your life?” I suggest an exercise at the end of the day to write down the places they have been, the people they have met and would like to remember, and any feelings or thoughts about God’s presence during their day. It is important to write it down, if possible. Writing takes things out of our bodies and minds and into our tangible world. Some think it is silly and never do it. Others find it helpful to begin to see and feel a connection they think they have lost, one that is always there, right beside them, all day and night.

The church where I serve sits at a corner with a stoplight. For some time, our associate rector, Michael, has displayed a short “stoplight prayer” on our church’s electronic sign at the stoplight. We hear weekly from people whose day changes when they stop for just a second to connect with our God, who is always there. Briefly pausing what we are doing and noticing the creation around us is our first step out of ourselves and into the life of knowing and feeling God’s perpetual presence.

Joanna.  joannaseibert.com

Eating Together as a Spiritual Practice

Eating Together as a Spiritual Practice

“The question of bread for myself is a material one, but the question of bread for my neighbor is a spiritual one.”—Nikolai Berdyaev.

Indeed, Jesus gives us continued examples of feeding thousands and of eating in the homes of others, often with the most despised, such as Zacchaeus and Matthew, tax collectors. Jesus, a role model in this, feeds others and lets others feed him. For Christians, Jesus leaves us with another meal, the Eucharist of bread and wine, a sacrament that reminds us of his care and brings his presence to us.

When I am having difficulty with someone, I imagine us together at the altar rail, kneeling, if possible, to receive the bread and wine of the Eucharist. Jesus is with us. After kneeling together, I see the person in a different light. Sometimes I see the Christ within them. 

I have given up trying to understand why sharing a meal with someone else can help us build a relationship faster than spending hours talking to that person. That is why I so strongly believe in the ritual of family meals together. As we are being fed, we see the person more clearly. Often, we can have a deeper conversation when food is present. It is almost as if the food is a natural icebreaker.

I remember working with nine other physicians in my medical practice. Each had unique gifts and advocated for different parts of our practice. Each person wanted their area to be funded and fully staffed. 

Partners at Work

One day, we decided to have lunch together once a week to work through complex issues. The situation changed almost overnight. We began to see each other’s needs in relation to our many areas of interest. We prioritized the needs of the patients we cared for over our own. Some of us even became lifelong friends!

Joanna https://www.joannaseibert.com/