Readings (Year C):
Acts 13:14, 43 – 52
Psalm 100:1 – 2, 3, 5
Revelation 7:9, 14b – 17
John 10:27 – 30
Reflection: We are always beloved by God
This week’s readings have a clear message of trust in the shepherd’s way and of surviving distress. How appropriate in today’s world to be sitting with readings such as these. They offer tremendous hope but also a stern reality check, given that so many of God’s people are hurting and in great pain. In that pain, we have the potential to be guided by and to the Father—but it can be so difficult to see that opportunity and say “yes” to it.
I feel a great softness in my heart when I see the words, “times of great distress” and “I know them.” Here in these readings, we are being called to recognize the fact that no matter what pain we are dealing with, Christ knows us. God knows us. And God wants us. God wants to be with us in our great distress—to be hand and hand with us. I think readings like these can inspire hope in folks who have been through enormous hurt in their lives.
I am reminded of a tremendous film I saw years ago and which I recently rewatched on Easter night as a method of reflection. I am a cinephile and find great inspiration in character-driven films that challenge my life experiences. Films like these end up influencing my prayer life in unexpected ways and this one was no different. The movie, The Way Back, directed by Gavin O’Connor and starring Ben Affleck, focuses on a man (Affleck’s character) who is immediately introduced to us as a severe alcoholic. Within minutes of the film’s start, the viewer encounters the level of the man’s addiction, which is painful to witness but also frighteningly realistic. After the movie came out it was revealed that Affleck was in recovery himself at the time, and that it was cathartic for him to take on the role.
While the character wrestles with this addiction, he is given an opportunity to coach his alma mater’s basketball team at a Catholic school where he was once a successful player. He takes the job, and the film turns into a riveting sports drama, but underneath the surface of the sports drama lies this shadow-self of addiction. Later in the film, the viewer learns that this man suffered an unimaginable loss a few years ago. This forces the viewer to alter their assessment of him. What might have been judgement or questions in the first half of the film quickly changes to deep pain and sadness for the loss he experienced. The filmmaker does an incredible job with this moment, and I recall taking a deep breath in the theatre when I first saw it.
This movie comes to mind, with these readings, because that deep breath of sorrow and pain that I felt for this character is what I think God is constantly calling us to feel for all our neighbors in the world. We must work to soften our hearts and see that each of us is wrestling with distress of in some way, some far more than others. In that reality, we realize that we must not judge. No, we must go to the shepherd and open ourselves up to that love from God. Then we must pray that others feeling pain can see that love and know that no matter what pain they are in and what that pain leads them to do, they are always beloved in the eyes of God.
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