Faithful Conversations #115

Introduction to Readers

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” (Henry David Thoreau, Walden)

Thoreau’s famous line from his 1854 book resonates in 2025. Though harsh, his suggestion that many people — indeed, more than we may want to admit — settle into unfulfilled lives, accepting their circumstances rather than seeking deeper meaning or change, is worth exploring. Thoreau came to mind this week, in part, because I stumbled on a compelling essay from Arthur Brooks in The Atlantic Magazine (1 May 2025). The gist of Brooks’ message is this: Young Americans are becoming less happy, and studies show it’s a global trend, especially in wealthier nations. Traditionally, happiness dips in young adulthood and rises later in life, but now it starts low and stays low longer. A big factor is lack of strong social connections—young people with more friends tend to follow a healthier happiness curve. Another key factor is declining religious participation, which is linked to a loss of meaning in life. Wealth may reduce reliance on religion, but data suggests that faith still plays a strong role in well-being, particularly in rich societies. The solution? Prioritizing real-life relationships, seeking deeper purpose, and remembering that money alone won’t bring happiness — ideas that should resonate with those of us who walk the Christian path!

Thanks for visiting this space again this week! We are two weeks into the 50-day journey of Eastertide, the time period between the Resurrection of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (8 June). In Year C of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), Eastertide readings emphasize themes of resurrection, transformation, and the mission of the early Church. The Acts of the Apostles takes center stage, replacing Old Testament readings to highlight the spread of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel readings often come from John and Luke, focusing on Christ’s post-resurrection appearances and teachings. Beyond my reflections this week’s Gospel, I will offer information related to the ELCA connection to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and share a musical prayer song inspired by Psalm 23, a favorite of mine that will be familiar to many.

We have several recent or upcoming days of commemoration in our church calendar (all can be located on pages 14-17 of the ELW). One I would like to highlight here is Saint Monica, the mother of Augustine (d. 4 May 387). The painting to the left is from 1846 and the Dutch-French romantic artist Ary Scheffer, titled Saint Augustine and his mother, Saint Monica. Click here If you would like to further explore this intriguing and important woman from Christian history.

Common Themes Among the Readings

Focus Passages: John 10: 22-30 and Psalm 23

Reflections: “Who will hear His voice?”

Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215 CE), an early church father, described John’s Gospel as a spiritual account of Jesus’ life and teaching (The Lutheran Study Bible, p. 1752). Traditionally attributed to the apostle John, it was likely composed between 90–110 CE, reflecting a later theological perspective distinct from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). It emphasizes Jesus’ divine nature, portraying him as the eternal Word (Logos) and focusing on his spiritual teachings rather than a chronological account of his ministry. Scholars debate its authorship, but it is clear that it was written for Jewish Christians who faced hostility within their communities.

Here is a quick summary of this week’s reading from chapter 10. During the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah), Jesus is confronted in the temple by those demanding a clear declaration of his identity as the Messiah. (Sidebar: this is the fourth episode in John centering on Jewish festivals and Jesus’ identity). He responds by affirming that his works testify to his divine authority, but their unbelief stems from their not belonging to his flock. Jesus then assures his followers of eternal security, declaring his unity with the Father, emphasizing that no one can snatch them away from God’s protection.

What should we take away from intriguing exchange between Jesus and those Jewish listeners in the temple? Here are three things that stand out. First, the imagery of Jesus as our shepherd (verses 26-27) and also one with the father is powerful and is rooted in the Old Testament writings that would have been meaningful to the Jewish crowd (note this week’s Psalm, for example).

Second, as Jennifer Garcia Bashaw of Campbell University in North Carolina aptly asserts in a recent commentary, Jesus’ dialogue regarding “life and eternal life” is critical to understanding this exchange. Hear what she has to say on this: “The final theme John has masterfully stitched into this passage is the most identifiable of the Gospel and the most misinterpreted. When Jesus says of his sheep, ‘I give them eternal life, and they will never perish’ (10:28), he is elaborating on the theme of life and eternal life that saturates John” (what we might think of as heaven and hell). She further explains that,“In the first century, hearers of the Gospel did not have developed concepts of heaven and hell (as places where people go when they die). Instead, they would more likely think of ‘perishing’ as the present, evil age they lived in and ‘eternal life’ as an image for the age to come, or what the Synoptic Gospels call the kingdom of God. Jesus is speaking of the kind of life believers lead now as they hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow him. This is a quality of life, not a place in the clouds where we go when we die.” In other words, the Kingdom of God is among us, here and now. Let that sink in for a few moments.

Finally, Jesus is explicit about humanity: some will hear His voice and others will not. And though forever a mystery to me, faith is a gift. Why do some hear this voice while others are seemingly deaf or distant from it? I cannot explain that. What we do know is this: Jesus the Shepherd seeks after us in spite of our failings, in spite of our doubts. He persistently seeks our hearts. And that brings me back to those in our midst experiencing quiet desperation. Perhaps you know someone like that? How will they come to hear the Shepherd’s voice? What is our role in that? May we have the strength, courage, and wisdom to tell them about Jesus Christ and invite them into “life and eternal life!”

Soli Deo Gloria!

**Note: As is so often the case, the interpretation I am offering here was inspired by someone with much more theological training than I have! In this case, Jennifer Garcia Bashaw helped me understand this passage from John and I thank her! I am continually amazed by the incredible information we have available to us in 2025, reaffirming my belief: the more I learn, the more I realize I do not know!

Prayer Reflection: Remembering the Plight of MMIW

A Musical Prayer: “The King of Love”

Update on “Faithful Conversations”

Thanks to this fine group of people who bring their voices to this endeavor each week! Join us on Sunday 11 May at 10:45 in the church library. We talk through the readings (some or all) in an informal setting — no prior preparation is necessary and all are welcome! Come and help us deepen our understanding of the readings!

And, on the horizon . . . . Pastor Jen and I are working to develop a series of podcasts that will be made available on various venues, short conversations on a variety of topics related to the faith journey. Our first series will explore the history of Lutheranism in general, the background to our local parish, how we translate our faith traditions and core values in our community, and how people can become a member of our church. Look for these later this spring!