The Third Sunday of Easter, May 4, 2025

The Third Sunday of Easter, May 4, 2025

The Greek word for “soul” is “psyche,” which most often is used to translate the Hebrew word “nephesh,” also meaning soul or life force. The Apostle Paul agrees with his fellow Apostle Peter regarding Christ gathering in “the souls” or “the lives” of the sheep. Paul tells us that our lives (souls) are hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:3-4). Wandering sheep break that hiddenness by straying from the fold—straying sheep leave the Shepherd to make their life (soul) visible and manifest. When the Shepherd again gathers in the sheep, you included, the hiddenness is restored, and you are safe once again as you await your glory to be revealed when Christ’s glory is revealed (Col. 3:4).

Prayers from an ever-wandering sheep…

Our Father, we have wandered, desiring to have a visible glory now. So save us from this sin-broken glory of self-righteousness that we may patiently wait for your Son’s glory to be revealed so that our glory will then be revealed as well. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Our Father, we have wandered into the sin-broken glory of self-righteousness so that our neighbors become either implements for proving our righteousness or impediments to it. Grant that while we walk in these days of our baptism, Christ will be our life and our righteousness because our life and righteousness are hid away with him in God; and our neighbors will be ends in themselves once again. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Our Father, we have wandered into those places from which we cannot find our way home. Please send us a preacher who will speak your Word into those lost places of the world; give us ears to hear your Word addressing us and returning us to your fold. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Our Father, we have wandered; make the Institute of Lutheran Theology a place where people wander in, receive your Word, and—after being gathered to Christ—are sent out to preach that Word into others’ ears. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Our Father, we have wandered. These days of our baptism are our days in the wilderness of this sin-broken, chaotic creation. So hold us in Christ that we make our way from day to day, trusting that he will be our glory when he comes in his glory. For Jesus’ sake. Amen