“…Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads…” – Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, BCP, p. 225
There is absolutely no doubt that I am a “do-er.” If it comes down to choosing between “doing,” and “being,” my choice is ALWAYS going to be to “do” something. I AM a “do-er.” It’s why I was a productive church administrator. Administrators get to “do” something, administrate! The choice to “be” is a much more difficult, somewhat unnerving space to occupy, because I always, invariably feel like I should be “doing” something!
Sheep, oddly enough, for all the claims of their ignorance, appear to know how to “be.” Seems like they stand around and eat a lot, and just “be.” And they’re ok with that.
It’s interesting to consider Good Shepherd Sunday, particularly with regards to this year’s unusual collision of Eastertide and “Corona-tide” (as our Bishop Smith refers to this period!). Listening for that voice is such an essential and necessary part of the Good Shepherd story. How do we effectively listen? It occurs to me that it may help to have a little less “doing,” and a lot more “being.” Being present to those around us (where socially possible); being present to creation around us; being present to the ever-present God-space within each one of us. Simply “being.”
Sounds easy, but believe it or not, this is a huge feat for us “do-ers.” And I suspect there are several reasons for that. First of all, we (incorrectly) measure our self-worth against the quasi-American idea that our value is generated on how much “doing” we can crank out. And secondly, and maybe more importantly, if we can “do” enough, we can somehow manage and control outcomes. (Both of these statements are untrue in God’s economy.)
And now, in the face of COVID-19 (and in reality, true any other day of the week), I (and possibly you) the “do-er” seem at an even greater loss of control over outcome. Is our response, for now, to listen, for the call of our Good Shepherd? If that is in fact the case, maybe this season of “Corona-tide” is meant not so much as one for “doing,” as I am so instinctually want to do, but one of “being,” making a way to hear our Good Shepherd’s voice.
I am positive there will be plenty of time to “do;” for this moment, lets the Doubters just “be.”
Faithfully listening,
Fr. Christopher+
