Today’s devotion calls us to unite our hearts and minds with love and compassion.
After reading today’s devotion, I thought WOW. This sounds ideal, but I know I fall short. My self seeking nature gets in the way. Lent gives all of us an opportunity to look inward at our own sinful souls and ask for God’s forgiveness. God loves us, seeks us, and sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. It is through God’s love that we are able to love.
Hymn 645, The King of Love My Shepherd Is, speaks of God’s love for us. Through the years, I’ve sung this hymn and been comforted by it. One Sunday the words of the third stanza truly struck me. I copied the hymn that day and scotch taped it in my Bible. The words of this stanza seem to speak of our Lenten journey.
“Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love He sought me, and on His shoulder gently laid, and home, rejoicing, brought me.”
What a beautiful story about Sir Henry Williams Baker.
I loved your thoughts of Lent’s meaning.
This too is one of my favorite hymns, Penny. The verse you cite always moves me deeply, especially when we sing it at Good Shepherd. It is no coincidence that the “Divine Shepherd” window, above the altar and full of symbolism, depicts Jesus gently holding the lamb.
This is my favorite hymn Penny! Thank you for this lovely reflection.
I’m so bad with names that I didn’t recognize the hymn from the name, but as soon as the YouTube video started it all came back, beautiful!
I believe I’ve seen this “fussing and infighting” in all of mankind, not just in congregations as today’s devotion states.
As I read the devotion and this reflection I was reminded of the morning prayer we read on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; it starts “O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near” – I think that just about covers everyone!
Thanks for the message Penny.
I think Jesus should probably charge me rent for that prime space on his shoulder, as many times as he has had to bring me back to the fold. But bring me back he has, to be at the Church of the Good Shepherd with good people like you in these trying times. Thanks be to God!
The King of love my shepherd is , a pity more people in this world do notshow more love , and have God as their King. He is there forus all. what a saviour.Love that hymn.
This hymn always puts tears in my eyes as I sing it because it rings so true about God’s unwavering love for us. Penny, thinks for reminding me that God’s “goodness faileth never.”
AMEN!