DAY 8

Image by Larry Lamsa

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Arms

A GREETING
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.
(Psalm 9:1)

A READING
What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of God in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
(Matthew 18:12-14)

MUSIC


A MEDITATIVE VERSE
Then he led out his people like sheep
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
(Psalm 78:52)

A PRAYER
Early in the morning I seek your presence, O God,
not because you are ever absent from me
but because often I am absent from you
at the heart of each moment
where you forever dwell.
In the rising of the sun,
in the unfolding colour and shape of the morning
open my eyes to the mystery of this moment
that in every moment of the day
I may know your life-giving presence.
Open my eyes to this moment
that in every moment
I may know you as the One who is always now.
- from Sounds of the Eternal, A Celtic Psalter, by J. Philip Newell

VERSE OF THE DAY
Hold me up, that I may be safe.
(Psalm 119:117)

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"The Lost Sheep," by Jorge Cocco Santángelo. (Click to enlarge)
Uruguayan/Argentinian artist Santángelo works in a style self-described as "sacrocubism," 
which combines techniques of the post-Cubist era with his own sense of "spiritual intellect." 
In this painting, the arms of Jesus are outstretched over the side of a cliff to catch and hold the lost 
sheep, who looks back at him. He is using a long shepherd's crook to catch the sheep and a stick to ground himself, forming a cross. The bodies of both Jesus and the sheep are joined by the cross, 
but his extended arm forms the real connection. Has there been a time in your life 
when Jesus has met you in an edge place?

The arms of Jesus are familiar to us in the outstretched figure on the Cross. In other images, we might find him represented with his arms gently lifted, palms outward, and bowed head. These images of Jesus that illustrate our bibles or become statuary figures in our churches have often made the body of Jesus a stationary and passive figure of adoration. Indeed, for many, this has served an important purpose. What can we gain also, however, by thinking about the Jesus who was active in his ministry, whose body was always walking, teaching and healing?

The story of the lost sheep presents a shepherd whom we immediately associate with Jesus. We hear that this tireless figure will go out to search high and low for the one who is missing. In the painting above by Jorge Cocco Santángelo, Jesus leans over the side of a perilous cliff edge to bring the sheep out of danger. When we have fallen away from our true selves, when we have succumbed too often to distractions and temptations, when we have been feeling angry at God or disappointed by the church, we can sometimes "let go," and drift, assuming that our faith has failed us or that God or Jesus are not really there. How might it help us to see the image of Jesus with arms reaching alongside us, body poised to embrace us once we trust in his presence?

The parent of a toddler who stands with arms out as their little one takes first steps toward them; the sibling who holds a young paddling body up in the pool; the caregiver who pushes a child on a swing -- all these know the active outward reach of the arms that signals deep caring. It's a reach that also holds respect for the agency and will of the individual. "I am here to catch you -- and I am also here when you fall or are frightened or become lost."

When we reach out to others, in body or in spirit, we embody the active outstretched arms of Jesus. Who do you know who might need that help today? How can Jesus encourage you forward?

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"The Lamb of God," by Jorge Cocco Santángelo
The relief felt by both the lost one and Jesus expresses itself here in the body.
Our instinct whenever we have almost lost something dear, is to hold it close.

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Scripture passages are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition.

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LC† From Dust, Still Holy is a devotional series of Lutherans Connect, supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College. To receive the devotions by email, write to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. The devotional pages are written and curated by Deacon Sherry Coman, with support and input from Pastor Steve Hoffard, Catherine Evenden and Henriette Thompson. Join us on Facebook. Lutherans Connect invites you to make a donation to the Ministry by going to this link on the website of the ELCIC Eastern Synod and selecting "Lutherans Connect Devotionals" under "Fund". Devotions are always freely offered, however your donations help support the ongoing work. 
Thank you and peace be with you!