Anxious about Earthly Things

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure.

That is the collect for this week.

It is sometimes hard to remember not to be anxious about earthly things. We hear of earthly things in the news, we are inundated with ads, and social media demands our constant attention.  Demands are made on our time, talent and treasure by our job, family, school, church, community, or organizations that we belong to. But are these heavenly? Are these enduring? Last week we heard about the “good shepherd” and how the flock would be left while the shepherd sought the lost sheep- freeing it from its struggles and carrying it back to the flock.  Am I (are you) a good shepherd?  or are we like sheep that have gone astray?

I couldn’t help but think of our choristers while contemplating these concepts: loving things heavenly, holding fast to what shall endure and the good shepherd. These children embody these concepts.  In the Cathedral Boys and the Cathedral Girls Choirs, we assign new singers a “shepherd”. The shepherd is responsible for making sure their “sheep” knows what to do for rehearsals and services. The shepherd watches out for their sheep, guiding them through rehearsal routines and terminologies, helping them make the correct marks in their music, making sure they have everything they need for a rehearsal or service and have it in the right order, and to be available to answer any questions. The experienced singers love having this job. The sheep love having a mentor. It creates a community of caring. We have 25 girls and 16 boys to start the choir year.  Six are brand new to the program. Our head choristers have taken on leadership roles with conviction and love.  The Boys and Girls spend, on average, a minimum of 6 hours a week in choir rehearsals and services.  Choristers come from all over Lexington, Frankfort and Versailles. They develop enduring relationships with each other, all the while using their God given gift for music.  To me, this is heavenly.  Watch them when they sing, you will see it in their faces.

We are all asked to be good shepherds: for our families, our communities, our church and even the earth. We are asked to love one another, with real and abiding love, not the “ I love my new iphone” kind of love. We deserve the love of one another. God is the ultimate good shepherd, who offers enduring heavenly love.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moths nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21


Kathleen Balling, Music Assistant