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Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Lectionary Cycle: Year A, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Lectionary Source: Vanderbilt Divinity Library

Scripture Readings

Associated Artwork

Title: Good Shepherd (1930)
Artist: Henry Ossawa Tanner
Description: Tanner, a master of rendering light and spiritual emotion, portrays the shepherd enveloped in a mystical twilight. The protective figure does not stand aloof from the dark; he walks directly into the shadows to keep his flock safe, serving as a quiet beacon of peace within an intimidating landscape.

Reflection

The exhaustion of living in "muddy waters," the fatigue of navigating unsettling environments, and a relentless world often carry over from day to day. Recent headlines, such as the reports of gunfire and panic at the White House Correspondents' Dinner or the ongoing economic strain of inflation on public school teachers, serve as reminders that chaos is a constant presence.

In everyday life, the "wild beasts" of trauma and instability appear in various forms. This may manifest as the intense effort required to support teenagers struggling with anger and dysregulation, or the quiet, heavy burden of holding a family together through caregiving and parenting. When people are in pain, that distress often spills onto those closest to them.

In Ezekiel 34:25, God addresses this turbulence with a specific promise: "I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild animals from the land, so that they may live in the wild and sleep securely in the woods."

It is important to note that the promise does not suggest an immediate removal from the "wild." The difficult circumstances, the stressed-out workplace, the interpersonal conflicts, and the national anxieties remain. However, the "covenant of peace" is intended to be so profound that security is possible even while remaining in those challenging environments.

The author of Hebrews 13 connects this peace to "the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep." As depicted in Tanner’s artwork, the Great Shepherd walks through the twilight with the flock. Because of this presence, one does not have to mirror the chaos of the surrounding world. When faced with high-stress situations or frightening news cycles, the promise of Christ is to "make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will," allowing for a calm, non-anxious presence that offers peace to others.

Prayer

God of Peace, the woods around us often feel dark and threatening. Whether in national turmoil or the quiet struggles of our own homes and workplaces, remind us that we do not wander alone. Thank you for the Great Shepherd who walks with us through the shadows. Equip us today with everything good, so that we don't add to the chaos, but instead offer your deep, abiding peace to those seeking a safe place to rest. Amen.