It is difficult to be a Christian and not tell stories. Scripture itself is a large story containing many, many stories. Some of them are in consonance, others in dissonance. In the first few days of the newly-formed Church, Pentecostal fire prompted not explications of doctrine or systematic theology but stories. Whether it was Peter or Paul or Stephen, when Jesus’s disciples were forced to justify themselves, they told stories. They recounted all God’s saving deeds for his people. Every time we gather for Mass, the Eucharistic Prayer retells our story, placed in the grand story of salvation. Bread and wine on the altar must be brought into the context of the great story of salvation in Christ in order to become Christ’s Body and Blood. Stories are compelling. Stories capture the imagination. Stories are not confined to a strict mold but employ the imagination. Stories are personal, real, and concrete. But the Christian story, as captivating and dramatic as it may be, is no work of fiction. It is true. And when we tell our own stories, we find the truth of the gospel in them as well. That is what Christian discipleship is all about.
Our story at the Church of the Good Shepherd is a long one, dating back to 1869. It has seen ups and downs. But the constant thread through our local story is the story of salvation centered around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And yet, large stories have smaller stories within them, and those stories have beginnings and endings. A significant beginning happened two years ago when you and I began our journey together as people and priest. Stories take a while to coalesce in the imagination, but when they do, they need to be told.
After two years of our shared story together, it is clear that the Holy Spirit is moving powerfully, if unpredictably at times, among us. Some of you have been a part of Good Shepherd’s story going back many years. Others have been a part of it for longer than two years. And some of you may have joined the story within the past few months or weeks. Welcome to this story.
As we begin a new program year this Sunday and look ahead to the kickoff of our 2023 Advancement Campaign, it seems crucial to tell our story. Where are we right now? Where have we been in recent years? Where are we going? Why is our story a Christian story? Where is Jesus in it?
On the Day of Pentecost, you may recall that a videographer was present to capture our parish story in video form. Telling a story—especially a story brimming with the sacramental tradition of the Church—involves all the senses. To understand Good Shepherd’s story, it’s crucial to hear and see it (imagine the smells, taste, and touch in your mind!). Thanks to this video project, we can now proudly display one glimpse into our evolving story. Watch our new parish video here. I’m thrilled to share this with you. Please share it with others!
As the video says clearly, there is a new creation among us at Good Shepherd. I can hardly imagine anything more compelling than this core precept of the gospel: in Christ, anything old can be made new, anything broken can be repaired, anything tired can be revived, anything sinful can be forgiven, and any darkness can turn into light. This is our story at Good Shepherd. You are a part of this story. But we can’t stop at that. It is our task as disciples of Jesus to go into the world and tell our story as part of that wondrous story that captured the hearts, imaginations, and souls of the earliest Christians after Jesus was raised from the dead. Will you join me in sharing this story? There’s no time like the present.
Yours in Christ,
Father Kyle