Not a hired hand ... not a performer

     Sorry I missed Sunday's post.

     Yesterday and today in the Gospel of John we hear Jesus describing Himself as the good shepherd, as well as the sheep gate and the guardian of the gate.  He makes it very clear that He is not a "hired hand" who simple has a job to do and has little invested in the sheep.  He is the good shepherd, who knows His sheep, and they know Him.  He is invested ... He has laid it all on the line for them.  What love and commitment.  This is why the Father loves Him, because He freely lays down His life in order to take it up again.  And He does so out of love.  We rejoice that He is our shepherd.

     Yesterday at the 8:30 am Liturgy, the Young Voices (our young people's choir) sang for the final time before the summer break.  They are outstanding.  I mentioned at the end of liturgy that their name was misleading - Young Voices.  Young sometimes gives the connotation of "immature" or "unseasoned".  These voices are far from young in that sense.  They are wonderfully mature.  And they bring such life and vitality to our worship, lifting our hearts and opening our mouths to sing with them the praises of God.

     The choir is ageless.  From the youngest through alumni who return to join them to adults who lend musical accompaniment.  Everyone gets their turn.  Voices, organ, keyboard, flute, guitar, trumpet, sax, drums, hand bells, base and other varied instruments add to the mix.  Yesterday's communion meditation was an Ave Maria sung by Lindsay Mikash (an alum) backed by the entire choir - in Latin - that was awesome.  We are so blest.

     They are under the direction of Diana Mikash who also leads our Funeral Choir.  She inspires with her enthusiasm and vibrant Faith.  Assisted by Marion Siebert and Rob Lynch as keyboard and organ accompanists and assisted by Julie Henry on flute, Diana, too, is a blessing.  Yesterday we acknowledged two graduating Seniors - Kayla Ciongoli and Stephanie Cowles - who are integral to the choir.  We wish them the best.

     Diana, her helpers, the youngsters - none are simply "hired hands", none are simply "performing".  They are joyful ministers of the love of God for each of us, and we give thanks in abundance for them.